THE M20 was closed in both directions this afternoon as firefighters tackled a blazing articulated lorry.

Fire broke out aboard the foreign-registered lorry at about 3.30pm and the burning wreckage blocked three lanes of the coastbound carriageway just north of junction 8, near Hollingbourne. Thick smoke drifted across the road.

Two crews from Maidstone and two from Larkfield were on the scene this afternoon. The road was closed in both directions between junctions 7, near Detling, and 8.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Traffic began building up immediately and there were severe tailbacks going back to junction 7.