A police officer was hurt in a road accident near the centre of Ipswich at the height of the rush hour today.

A police vehicle was involved in an accident with a private car at the junction of Portman Road and Handford Road shortly after 9.30am.

The driver of the police vehicle was reported to be suffering from chest pains and has been taken to hospital.

The accident forced the closure of the two roads, but they have now reopened.