It is a sad reality of being a motorist that journeys to work will often be delayed by accidents or broken down lorries.

Yet drivers will have been surprised to discover the reason they faced queues of four miles on the M20 today was not because of a motoring mishap - but because of mud on the road.

Traffic officers from Highways England were forced to close one lane on the coastbound carriageway between Junction 8 for Leeds Castle and Junction 9 for Ashford.

The mud caused congestion stretching back to Junction 7 for Detling Hill.

The road was cleared by 10.30am, although motorists still faced some delays.