Shocking footage shows a man hanging onto the open door of a van being driven along the M20.

The passenger’s feet are just inches above the tarmac as the work vehicle travels along the Londonbound carriageway between junctions 9 and 10 at Ashford.

Spotting the dangerous behaviour, an onlooker began to film the vehicle, which appears to be left-hand drive and belong to a French firm.

While heading towards the bridge where Canterbury Road crosses the M20 at 7.35pm on Saturday, the passenger swung the door open before hanging on it over the middle lane of the motorway.

The witness, who has asked to remain anonymous, described what he saw as “mad to see” and told KentOnline that at first glance he thought it was the driver who was performing the death-defying stunt.

He said: “We thought it was a pretty stupid thing to do and, with it being a work vehicle, not great representation for the company.”

Following several seconds dangling outside the Renault transit van, the man can be seen safely reentering the vehicle and shutting the door.

Nobody appears to have been harmed during the bizarre incident.

Kent Police has been approached for comment.