A serious crash thought to have involved a van and a lorry resulted in the M20 being shut.

The accident happened at about 7.30pm and has forced the closure of the London-bound carriageway between Junction 12 (Cheriton) and Junction 11 (Hythe).

Police, ambulance crews and firefighters were sent to the scene. As of 10.50pm, the closure remained in place.

Highways England tweeted: "Please be aware we are shutting the M20 Londonbound at J12 Hythe to assist Kent Police RPU with a serious collision at J11 Westenhanger."

At 9.30pm, a police spokesman said: "Kent Police is currently at the scene of a serious collision on the M20 near Westenhanger.

"Officers received a report of a collision involving two vehicles at around 7.15pm on Tuesday, December 8.

"Police, along with other emergency services, are attending the scene on the Junction 11 slip road on the London-bound M20.

"The London-bound carriageway remains closed from Junction 12 and drivers are advised to follow the diversions in place."

It is understood that traffic trapped by the closure was released by 9.50pm.

The crash comes on the same stretch of road which has a hard shoulder currently being used by lorries queuing for the Eurotunnel.

The traffic in the area is heavily congested, especially due to the Dover TAP which was implemented this morning.

More information as we get it.

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.

Read more: All the latest news from Folkestone

Read more: All the latest news from Hythe