A MAIN route through Dorset has been closed after a car burst into flames.

The incident happened near the Starbucks drive-thru on the A31 Ringwood Road, St Leonards, triggering a major emergency services response.

The car was 'completely destroyed' by flames, the fire service said - but nobody was injured.

Police closed the road for several hours while the vehicle was recovered and oil cleared from the road.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at around 11am to a report of a car on fire on the A31 at St Leonards.

"Officers attended with the fire service. The road is currently closed. Recovery has been requested for the vehicle.

"The local authority has been made aware due to oil on the road. There were no reports of any injuries."

A spokesman for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "A crew from Springbourne responded to a vehicle fire on the A31 at the slip road of Ashley Heath roundabout along with an appliance from Ringwood.

"Two breathing apparatus wearers used one hose reel jet to extinguish the vehicle fire and also manage the oil spill from the vehicle.

"The vehicle was completely destroyed by fire. Crews left the scene at 12pm."

The road has now reopened.