THE emergency services are dealing with a gorse fire beside a busy Hampshire road.

The blaze broke out in vegetation between the A326 Hythe Bypass and Elm Crescent, Netley View, at around 3pm.

Crews from Hythe and Hardley fire stations have been sent to the scene.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the fire involved an area about 20m by 10m. He added that crews had surrounded the blaze and were already damping down.

Police have been drafted into the area to help with traffic control.