A woman had to be cut free from her car after it crashed with a mobile crane on a motorway.

Firefighters took half an hour to rescue the victim, cutting away the car’s roof and doors to reach her.

The accident happened on the coastbound M20 at about 6.50am today. The small three-door Citroen and the crane collided just after Junction 9 at Ashford and the crashed blocked two lanes.

Ashford station firefighter Mike King said: "The woman was trapped for 30 minutes from the time we arrived until we released her. We had to cut the roof and doors off to reach her and she was put on a spinal board and taken to hospital."

Paramedics tended to the victim, believed to be in her late 50s, but she was not thought to have major injuries. She was taken to William Harvey Hospital at Ashford and the crane driver was unhurt.

Two fire engines from Ashford and a rescue pump ladder were called to the incident.

The road was reopened shortly after 8.30am.