POLICE rescued a man from a motorway bridge after he climbed to the wrong side of the barrier.

The M27 was shut in both directions at junction seven at about 9.15pm last night.

This caused delays on the M3.

The road reopened shortly afterwards and initially police refused to disclose what had happened.

But this morning a Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: "We were called just before 9pm to reports of a concern for welfare.

"A man was reported to be on the bridge over junction 7 of the M27 on the wrong side of the barrier.

"Officers attended the scene and the man was brought down safely by 9.25pm."

Motorists were diverted around the area during the operation.