Tens of thousands of people who flocked to the Kent County Show had to endure a traffic nightmare.

The three-day event ended on Sunday in near chaos as visitors tried to leave the showground and drove straight into gridlock on the A249.

People arriving late at the site during the day also endured hours of delays, and by 4pm, visitors were being let in to the event for free.

Signs on both the M2 and M20 warned of long delays on the A249 throughout the day.

Parachutist crash-lands at County Show

Organisers say a surge in numbers on Sunday caused traffic delays.

Ch Insp Ian Hall of Kent Police said: "The problems that developed were in the showground, not on the highway, when people had difficulty leaving the car parks.

"Although traffic outside was heavy, it continued to move.

"When we became aware of the problem, police officers assisted the on-site stewards in dealing with the traffic in the showground.

"We will be discussing the matter with the show organisers to look at what lessons can be learned."

David Goff, general manager of the county showground, said: "We had a new traffic plan in place but due to vast number of people coming through it didn't work as well as anticipated.

"We can only apologise for this and we will endeavor to get it right for next year."