Delays have been building on the M25 leading to six-mile queues after a car caught fire inside one of the tunnels at the Dartford Crossing.

Firefighters have been called and the eastern tunnel was closed for 45 minutes leading to queues tailing back towards Swanley and the M20 at junction 3.

Traffic is being diverted through the western tunnel on the anti-clockwise carriageway after a crash involving a lorry and a car at 10.49am.

Highways England says there were delays of up four miles lasting 30 minutes approaching the A282 Dartford Crossing during the incident but residual delays are causing queues of about six miles.

It is the second day running one of the tunnels has been closed after a stuck lorry forced the western tunnel to shut yesterday leading to major delays.

A fire service spokesman said crews were called at 10.50am and one fire engine attended but the blaze was out when they arrived.

The team stood down at 11.18am and the incident is being managed by Highways England.

The tunnel reopened at about midday and the scene is being cleared, Highways England said.

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