A ROMSEY industrial estate was evacuated yesterday morning following a major gas leak.

Emergency service teams were called to Belbins Business Park shortly before 9.30am after a lorry fractured a gas regulator at the site near the junction of Sandy Lane and Cupernham Lane.

Romsey firecrews and the police were soon on the scene and a cordon was placed around the business park.

About 100 employees from businesses on the park were evacuated a safe distance away from the area because of fears of explosions and fumes from the leaking gas.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus ventilated buildings on the park. No homes in the neighbourhood were affected or evacuated during the emergency and no one was injured.

Transco gas engineers were called in to deal with the leakage.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "The lorry went over a gas regulator and caused a lot of damage to equipment. We managed to isolate a gas valve about 10.26am and remained on the site until about 10.45am."

West Hampshire police spokesman Alan Smith confirmed a safety cordon was thrown around the incident and people were allowed back into their work places around 11am.

"Houses nearby were not evacuated because it wasn't thought necessary. It is thought the lorry struck the regulator on a gas supply pipeline. It was thought light winds would help disperse the escaped gas," said Mr Smith.