Heavy congestion is expected on the approach to the Dartford Crossing this evening after the bridge and tunnel were shut in both directions.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after 6.30pm following reports of a suspicious package in the tunnel, but upon further investigation no threat was discovered.

A spokesman said: "Officers attended the A282 near the Dartford River Crossing and the package was found to be harmless."

The road has reopened and traffic is on the move again but delays are set to continue.

A Highways England spokesman said: "The road was never fully closed but traffic was held temporarily, it was a fairly quick and easy police incident.

"We put the hold on traffic at the barriers at 6.37pm.

"About 10 minutes later traffic officers arrived and we got the all clear from police just before 7.10pm."