The man, in his 70s, suffered severe injuries when his blue Proton Wira< CORR> saloon car collided with the back of a lorry on the M3 at about 3.30am.

The Proton driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the white Volvo articulated lorry, a 59-year-old from Portsmouth, was in shock but otherwise unhurt.

The accident happened on the northbound M3 between junctions eight and nine, north of Winchester. The motorway was closed for several hours with diversions around the A34 and A303 in place, and traffic backed up for miles as a result.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident. Anyone who saw anything should contact Sergeant Mark Weller of Farnborough roads policing unit quoting operation Hawkeswood< CORR> on 0845 0454545 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

No more details of the dead man will be released until his family have been informed.