A NEW vehicle has been “fired up” to combat potholes on Hampshire roads.

One of Hampshire Highways’ brand new “dragon patchers” made its debut this week, fixing potholes and defects caused by winter weather in Sparsholt.

It is nicknamed a “dragon” because it fires out flames to de-ice and dry out road surfaces.

The road is then cleaned with compressed air and sealed with a stone mix and hot Asphalt mixture.

With the surface repair completed in as little as two minutes, the patcher can move on to the next repair.

The new patcher has been named “Elliot” by Cllr Stewart Wooles of Sparsholt Parish Council, following an event earlier this year which focused on highways and waste services in Hampshire’s.

Cllr Wooles said: “Elliot was the friendliest name I could think of for a dragon, and this dragon patcher is going to be ideal for a village like Sparsholt.

“Elliot will be able to start at one end of the village, and we won’t need to have roads closed off or traffic and buses diverted while it makes it’s way through, tackling potholes one at a time and fixing them.”

Hampshire County Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and environment, Councillor Rob Humby said: “It’s great to see Elliot out and about, making a real difference to some of Hampshire’s rural villages.

“The council has invested in two new dragon patcher machines for exclusive use on Hampshire roads. We have made a commitment to the people of Hampshire to use the resources available to us as efficiently and effectively as possible.”