A vehicle that burst into flames has forced a major road to close on one of the hottest days of the year.

The coastbound carriageway of the A2 in Harbledown, Canterbury, remains shut after a car fire just before 12.30 pm today, prompting 1km tailbacks.

Police and firefighters were called to the scene and the blaze was extinguished as motorists queued in sweltering heat, with traffic backing up to Rheims Way.

A police spokesman said: “We were called at 12.26pm today following a report of a car fire near the Harbledown exit of the A2 coastbound.

“No serious injuries were reported.

“The carriageway remains closed after the Harbledown exit while officers work to recover the vehicle.”

Explaining the cause of the fire is unknown, a fire service spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a car alight on the A2 near Harbledown in Canterbury.

“Two fire engines attended the coast-bound carriageway and crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames using hose reel jets.

“No injuries have been reported, and the cause is not known.

“Duty of care was left with Kent Police.”