by James Snaith

A mother from Ashford is calling for a change in the law after her car was almost crushed by a lorry near the M20.

Julie Hay, 44, feared for her life after she was caught in the Polish lorry driver's blind spot after he drove into her lane at a roundabout.

Her Skoda was pinned against an articulated vehicle for several "terrifying" seconds before other motorists managed to get the driver's attention.

Julie said: "Sheer panic just took over - I was absolutely petrified and it was just the thought of what could have happened... I could have been carried down the M20."

Julie has now started petition on the government's website calling for all foreign lorry drivers to fit blind-spot lenses to their vehicles.

The lenses are free and available from all ports in Kent - but it is not a legal requirement to ensure drivers use them.

After her experience, Julie has warned other road users to be wary of HGV blind spots, believing a change in the law could save lives.

"I really feel it's something we really need to push and get at least debated," she said. "The start is already there, it just needs to be finished and made a legal requirement."

Julie has called on other road users across the county who have also had near misses to join her campaign after her ordeal by the William Harvey Hospital near junction 10 on Monday, October 1.

The petition needs 100,000 signatures before it can be debated in Parliament.