A passer-by stepped in and prevented a group of youths from dropping a heavy road bollard onto the M20 from a bridge, it has been reported.

The incident is said to have taken place on the Eureka Skyway bridge near junction 9 on Saturday night.

It is believed that the group dragged the bollard, which had a concrete base, onto the pedestrian bridge with the aim of hauling it onto the motorway below, but fled when challenged.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “We are very concerned to hear of this incident and we will be investigating.”

A police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a signpost and concrete block being moved from Rutherford Road in Ashford to a bridge at around 10.22pm on Saturday, December 3.

“Officers liaised with Ashford Borough Council over the recovery of the signpost. Initial inquiries have suggested that no offences took place.”