An accident which closed the M20 today involved an ambulance with a patient on board, it has been revealed.

The motorway was shut by emergency services between the junction 8 for Leeds Castle and 9 for the A20 for Ashford after the crash at 11.20am.

A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that a paramedic was left with minor injuries when the response vehicle crashed on the eastbound carriageway en route to William Harvey Hospital.

An air ambulance landed in a nearby field and the injured staff member was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital with head, arm and leg injuries.

The patient also continued their journey to the same facility.

The spokesman said: "We will be looking into the incident to establish the circumstances.”

No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash, which caused a mile-long tailback.