A man has been taken to hospital after a recovery vehicle crash led to lengthy rush-hour delays on the M20.

Traffic was queueing for about three miles because of the accident, involving a car, a van and a vehicle recovery lorry, on the London-bound carriageway between Junction 9 for the A20 Fougeres Way (Ashford) and Junction 8 for the A20 Ashford Road (Leeds Castle/Maidstone Services).

Lanes one and two, of three, were closed after a van drove into the Impact Protection Vehicle while it was protecting a broken down car.

Kent County Council's Highways department said emergency services were in attendance and that motorists should expect delays.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at around 7am following a collision involving a car, a van and a vehicle recovery lorry between Junctions 9 and 8 of the M20 London-bound carriageway.

"Officers attended and one man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

"The officers have since left the scene and the incident continues to be managed by National Highways."

The man’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.