The bus, travelling Sittingbourne-bound on the A249 near Kent County Showground, caught fire due to unknown causes close to the Little Chef slip road at around 4.30pm.

Firefighters from Maidstone and Sittingbourne were called to the blaze and, although the flames were dealt with quickly, the two pumps did not leave the scene until 6.20pm as they had to make the area safe.

A witness said it appeared that the top deck of the bus, which was not carrying passengers, had been almost completely destroyed and that traffic resulting from the incident backed up for some distance.

Maidstone-bound traffic on major commuter route Detling Hill was slowed nearly to a standstill by police as smoke drifted across the carriageway.

And there were significant delays for motorists trying to get to Sittingbourne as the road was closed completely until 5.20pm, when one lane was reopened.

The bus was recovered at around 6pm and traffic was moving as normal by 6.45pm.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said that no fire investigation was being carried out and there is no explanation as to what caused the fire.

Maidstone and Malling Police have confirmed that there is no reason to believe the incident was suspicious. Nobosy was hurt in the incident.