A large fire broke out at a Toby Carvery restaurant in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters have been tackling the blaze at the Bishopstoke eatery for several hours.

The alarm was raised at 3.45am with multiple units sent to the scene.

The B3037 (Bishopstoke Road/Fair Oak Road) was closed while the incident was dealt with but has since reopened.

Residents were urged to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke.

At the height of the incident, six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform were on scene and four main jets were used by firefighters to extinguish the fire.

The operation has now been scaled back.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have reduced our response to four fire engines as we damp down and check for hotspots. The road has now been reopened.”

Photos shared by the fire service show that the roof of the building has been destroyed.

The cause is yet to be confirmed.