A huge fallen tree branch forced emergency services to close a busy route into Maidstone town centre this afternoon.

The branch, believed to weigh several tonnes, fell onto Rocky Hill shortly after midday.

It completely blocked both lanes into Maidstone and firefighters quickly arrived to remove it from the scene.

One lane was opened again at 1.15pm.

Mechanics from the neighbouring Formula One Autocentre could hear it creaking and went out into the road to stop traffic before it fell.

Assistant manager Bill Ryan said: "It's a massive bit of tree. If that fell while traffic was flowing it would have cut through a car like a hot knife through butter.

"I could hear it creaking from the other side of the road and we called the police.

"The boys went out to warn traffic because we could tell it was going to go. They gave advice to drivers and stopped them using a lane.

"Traffic stopped completely moments before it fell. There's never a dull moment in Rocky Hill."