"Urgent" roadworks are underway to repair a main road in Romsey after a gas leak erupted this morning.

Emergency gas works are taking place on the roundabout linking Winchester Road and Botley Road.

Now workmen are being urged to fix the road in time for it to be used as a diversion route when the M27 closes at 10pm tomorrow.

Romsey town centre manager, Mark Edgerley, said: "The gas leaked happened on the roundabout in Winchester Road which has now been fixed by Southern Gas Network, but it is going to take several hours for the road to be reinstated as they have to fill the hole in with tarmac.

"That is not expected to be completed until this evening and they have been told to get on with it as it is urgent; we do not want the work continuing tomorrow because of the M27 closure, as it is part of the diversion route.

"There will be three-way traffic lights there for the best part of today."

Residents were alerted to the gas leak at 7.02am.

A spokesperson from Southern Gas Network said: "We're carrying out urgent repairs to our gas network at the roundabout in the junction of Botley Road and Winchester Road in Romsey.

"We've installed temporary three-way traffic lights at the roundabout to ensure everyone's safety around our work area and to keep the traffic flowing.

"It's too soon to say how long it will take to carry out our repairs."