The tolls on the Dartford Crossing have been suspended by the Highways Agency after a pile-up on the M25 this morning.

It is the first time they have been suspended during the six-month trial which began on July 1 where the Highways Agency, which manages the crossing, is given the power to lift the tolls in severe congesgtion.

Severe congestion means 9.3 miles in Kent and 11 miles on the Essex side.

The suspension of the crossing follows a crash involving three cars and two lorries close to Junction 28 on the anti-clockwise Essex side of the crossing at about 11.55am.

Traffic queues built up bringing the risk of vehicles being forced to stop in the four tunnels under the Thames.

"We could not have that happening," said a spokesman for the agency, "so we closed the barriers at the Dartford tolls."

Traffic queued towards Swanley.

The incident in Essex has been cleared, and traffic has started to move again.

The Highways Agency suspended the tolls at about 2.30pm today.

The spokesman said: "We took the decision about 15 minutes ago to suspend the tolls northbound.

"It will remain off until we are satisfied that things are back to normal-ish - whatever normal is on a Bank Holiday Friday."