Police deployed to halt Hampshire horse-and-trap racing

Horse-and-trap racing involves a driver riding a cart

A county-wide dispersal order has been issued by police to prevent an illegal horse-and-trap racing event.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it had received information about a planned unauthorised event on the A33 between Winchester and Basingstoke.

A spokesperson for the force said there was currently no plan to close the road over the weekend.

The Section 35 dispersal order will be in place until 08:00 GMT on Monday for the whole county.

It gives officers the power to disperse people and seize any items used for anti-social behaviour.

Insp John Stribley said any action taken to close the A33 would be in response to a "dynamic situation" and "balanced against the risks to motorists".

He added: "These activities can be conducted lawfully elsewhere, such as on private land, and we will not be tolerating the use of Hampshire's roads for an illegal sporting event."