A VAN blocked an ambulance on its way to the hospital this morning.

Police were called to the A36 between Alderbury and Salisbury at 7.44am to reports that an ambulance with its blue lights and sirens on was being held up by a van that would not change lanes to let it pass.

Inspector Pete Sparrow said all the other vehicles on the road had moved aside to allow the ambulance to pass, but the van driver failed to get out of the way "for a long period of time".

He advised drivers to use their mirrors to see when emergency vehicles were approaching from behind.