A LORRY carrying a load of washing machines overturned and caught fire on the M20 near Hollingbourne on Easter Monday.

Firefighters from Maidstone had to clear machines from the road and the back of the lorry while battling the blaze on the London-bound carriageway of the motorway, near junction eight.

The motorway was closed for about an hour.

A spokesman at Maidstone fire station said the lorry left the carriageway, hit a sign and then overturned at about 2.15pm.

Four crews wearing breathing apparatus took two hours to put out the fire and clear the road. One lane was still closed this morning.