Witnesses are being sought after a pile-up involving a police car in icy conditions on the M20.

A Kent Police patrol had found a vehicle crashed on the hard shoulder of the London-bound carriageway near Ashford at around 7am on Saturday.

While the officer was helping the driver of the blue Mercedes, another four vehicles crashed.

The stationary police car was damaged and several people suffered minor injuries in the crash between junctions nine and eight, close to Westwell.

At the time of the incident, a heavy snow storm was reported in the area and

Kent Police said a heavy snow storm had caused hazardous driving conditions.

The London-bound carriageway was closed for just more than two hours while the vehicles were recovered.

The vehicles involved were a blue Mercedes, a Kent Police Skoda Octavia, a blue Vauxhall Astra, a black Land Rover Freelander, a white Volvo double-decker coach and a silver Vauxhall Corsa.

Witnesses are urged to phone Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.