Rush hour traffic ground to a halt in both directions on the A20/M20 on Monday afternoon following three separate accidents in the same area.

The London-bound carriageway remained closed all night and did not reopen until 5.30am this morning.

The chaos began just after 5pm after a lorry overturned and shed its load of bottles on the London-bound side between the M25 junction and Crittles Corner near Swanley.

Then a two-vehicle accident happened in the tailback and the road was closed along the M20 to junction 3. Traffic was being diverted on to the M26 and M2 but there were long delays.

The third accident, involving two motorcyclists, was on the coastbound carriageway of the A20 between Crittles Corner and the M25 junction. One lane of the road had to be closed.

Police said that traffic was flowing normally this morning.