Huge tailbacks are forming on the approach to the Dartford Crossing due to a detached trailer.

The east tunnel was temporarily closed for the recovery of a broken down lorry and its trailer.

The incident was caused by the trailer coming detatched from the cab unit.

It has caused significant congestion Essex-bound from Kent with long tailbacks stretching back past junction 2 of the M25 for the Darenth Interchange.

Police and road recovery teams were called to attend.

The tunnel has since reopened but drivers continue to face long delays of an hour and above, National Highways says.

Vehicles were being diverted via the west tunnel whilst crews recovered the vehicle and trailer.

A spokesman for National Highways said: "The trailer is currently being recovered and that’s going well.

"Once that is complete an engineer will review the road surface to see if there is any damage."