BAD weather and freezing temperatures are continuing to cause traffic problems across the county today.

Kent County Council gritters made two complete sweeps of the main roads across the region overnight but could not prevent the morning rush hour traffic slowing to a crawl.

A serious accident involving a car and a lorry on the M2 led to the closure of the motorway London-bound between junction five, Sittingbourne, and junction six, Faversham. It reopend at 1.30pm.

There was also an accident between junctions nine and eight on the M20 but the road is not reported to be blocked. However, Operation Stack has been implemented by police, closing the coastbound carriageway between junctions eight and 13.

As a result, there is traffic chaos on surrounding routes.

The main roads in the county are passable with care, but police are advising people not to travel unless absolutely necessary. They are receiving reports of black ice across the county, particularly on roads with hills.

Public transport has been disrupted with delays and cancellations of train and bus services.

More snow showers are predicted for the rest of Thursday after temperatures crashed to as low as minus six overnight.

Freezing temperatures are expected to continue into Friday.