Both carriageways of the M20 were closed this morning near Folkestone following a crash.

The road was closed in both directions for around half an hour while the air ambulance landed to assist one patient with a head injury.

A 4x4 car crashed into a lamppost between junction 12 for Cheriton and the junction 11a exit from the Channel Tunnel on the London-bound side at 9.20am.

Huge tailbacks had built up around the area while emergency services dealt with the crash which left the London-bound side shut for around an hour and a half in total.

Police confirmed that the driver of a 4x4 car, a man in his 50s, suffered a head injury and received treatment at the scene after ending up crashed into the verge.

The man had become trapped in his car after it had left the motorway, crashing into a lamppost and fence, the fire service said.

"We don’t know the exact nature of his injuries yet but potential serious injuries." Ambulance spokesman Rich Airey

Firefighters used hydraulic rescue equipment to remove the roof and free the man before he was taken into the care of paramedics.

The coastbound carriageway was reopened at 10am but the London-bound remained closed until it was fully reopened at 11am.

Paramedics from three ambulances and two cars were called to the scene.

Secamb spokesman Rich Airey said: “He was taken to William Harvey Hospital with a slightly reduced level of consciousness but not massively.

“He was placed in a neck collar and on long board.

“We don’t know the exact nature of his injuries yet but potential serious injuries.”