A HAMPSHIRE village is facing road chaos today after thieves stole the batteries for their traffic lights.

Thieves last night made off with eight batteries which were powering the temporary lights at the Botley Road road works in Curbridge putting drivers' lives at risk.

The broken lights outside the Horse and Jockey pub have caused misery on the roads for hundreds of motorists this morning between Botley and Swanwick.

The lights had been on Botley Road since last week as part of 12 weeks of drainage repairs to the A3051.

Kevan Bundell, chairman of Curdridge Parish Council, said: “We have had a great deal of disruption to our very busy road anyway and this theft only adds to the difficulties of people trying to get to work through our village.”

The incident was reported to Hampshire Police at 8am today.

Anyone with any information should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.