MOTORISTS in the county faced delays of several hours on Sunday after engineering works on the M20 over-ran.

Overnight bridge work at junction 10, Ashford, was due to be completed at 10am but went on until 6pm.

The delay caused chaos on both carriageways. Eight-mile queues built up London-bound, while tailbacks of three miles were experienced coast-bound.

Drivers' journeys were held up for up to six hours on the hottest day of the year so far.

Other routes suffered congestion as motorists tried to escape the M20 jam.

Traffic began to flow again shortly after 6pm.

Police say heavy delays built up on each side of the motorway at junction 10 as traffic had to come off the roundabout and then rejoin the carriageway in both directions because of Highways Agency work.

The Highways Agency has apologised for the problem and says it is investigating.