The M20 has reopened this morning as Operation Stack is no longer in place.

At 5.30am police announced Op Stack had been reduced with just junctions 8 to 9 coast-bound being used as a lorry park.

But now the whole motorway is open, although police are warning drivers could still face delays.

A spokesman said: "There may still be residual delays in the area while the road network returns to normal."

Police had earlier closed the section between junctions 8 and 11, saying it was necessary due to the high volume of tourist traffic.

It comes after 49 migrants travelled into Kent through the Channel Tunnel on Wednesday morning, causing delays for lorry drivers which worsened the backlog.

A stretch of the motorway spanning 31 miles was closed on Wednesday afternoon, but this was scaled back in the evening when junctions 7 and 10 to 13 were re-opened.

All freight traffic wanting to use the Port of Dover or Channel Tunnel must join Operation Stack at junction 8 and collect a ticket.

Any freight drivers who arrive at the port or tunnel without an Op Stack ticket will be sent to the back of the queue at junction 8.

A spokeswoman for the Port of Dover said the port was open and advised tourist traffic to use the A2/M2 route, but to allow plenty of time for their journey.

She said: "Traffic is flowing and the Port and the ferry operators are working hard to serve all customers travelling to and from the continent. We apologise for any delays or inconvenience as a result of traffic congestion and we would like to reassure our local community we are playing our part to keep traffic, Dover and the UK economy moving."

It is not known how long the measures will be in place for. Drivers are warned to expect the disruption to continue.

A Kent Highways spokesman said: "Please expect delays across the county and allow of extra time for your journey."

This is the fifth time Operation Stack has been implemented in four weeks, causing traffic chaos on the M20 and surrounding roads.

It has been necessary due to heavy freight traffic caused by issues including strike action in Calais and migrants attempting to enter the Channel Tunnel to reach the UK.

The system is controversial, with more than 5,000 signing a petition urging the Prime Minister to abandon it.