A HAMPSHIRE motorway was closed in both directions early today after a man threatened to jump from a bridge.

Long tailbacks built up on the M3 between Eastleigh and Winchester after the incident occurred at junction 14 at around 1.30am.

Highways England said an entry slip road was closed and traffic was held "for a short time" while police dealt with the emergency.

A Highways England spokesman said officers managed to talk the man down and the road reopened at 2am.

A Hampshire police spokesman added: "We were called at 1.37am to a concern for welfare for a man on a footbridge on the M3 at Junction 14.
Both the northbound and southbound carriageways had to be closed between Junctions 12 and 15.
Officers managed to bring the man off the footbridge safely and the carriageway was re-opened at 1.58am. The man was taken to hospital as a precaution."