WATCH: Pothole just south of The Pheasant pub on the A343 near Highclere returns almost a year on to damage several cars

Almost a year since it first emerged, a ‘monster’ pothole has returned to strike fear into the hearts of wary motorists.

The pothole, which is just south of The Pheasant pub on the A343 near Highclere, was seen to damage at least seven cars this morning (Wednesday) alone.

Automobile victims were seen either parked at The Pheasant, The Highclere Red House or at the side of the road, with two RAC vans attending to the wrecked vehicles.

One RAC worker was surprised to see that the road was still open due to the severity of damage the pothole was causing to passing cars.

Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for the maintenance of the road, has been approached for comment.

Last January, a pothole – which was seven metres long, one metre wide and 32 centimetres deep at its deepest point – in the exact same place damaged several cars.

In a bizarre turn of events, the same pothole seems to have returned almost exactly a year on – to the dismay of motorists travelling through the North Hampshire village.

Was your car damaged by the pothole this morning? If so please contact cameron.blackshaw@newburynews.co.uk