The M20 was shut for more than seven hours after a serious crash involving two lorries.

The driver of one of the vehicles was airlifted to hospital in London following the incident after junction 11 for Hythe.

The coastbound carriageway remains closed and traffic is heavily congested.

Traffic was already queuing after the Channel Tunnel was closed and one of the lorry drivers was cut out of the cab by firefighters after being trapped inside his vehicle.

Reports were that one of the lorries involved was waiting to enter the Eurotunnel terminal just after junction 11 for Hythe when the crash happened.

Emergency services made their way to the scene and the air ambulance landed to treat a casualty, police confirmed.

The man was taken to King's College Hospital in London by air ambulance helicopter.

Motorists are being diverted off at junction 11 but are still being told to expect long delays and congestion as far back as Ashford.

The London-bound carriageway reopened at around 2.15pm.

However, the M20 did not fully reopen until around 8pm.

A fire service spokesman confirmed two engines were sent to the scene, adding: "A driver of one of the vehicles was trapped by his injuries but has been released from the cab of the lorry by crews using hydraulic cutting gear."

A police spokesman earlier said: "The M20 is currently closed coast-bound between Junctions 11 (Hythe) and 12 (Cheriton) due to a serious collision involving two HGVs close to the slip road for the Channel Tunnel (J11a) at 12.15pm.

"The carriageway is likely to be closed for a few hours while an investigation is carried out at the scene.

"With congestion expected on the A20, motorists are being advised to use alternative routes where possible."

Traffic was being turned around back to junction 11 to join the diversion.

The diversion was along the A20 to rejoin the motorway at junction 12.

It came after three-hour waits at the Eurotunnel terminal due to a track problem, affecting both the Eurotunnel le Shuttle and the Eurostar.

A spokesman from Eurotunnel said: "The delays are due to a fault with an electrical insulator which needed to be repaired.

"Technicians have been working on the issue which has now been resolved."