Historic Teston Bridge remains shut today due to damage thought to have been caused by the stormy weather.

A large hole has appeared the wall of the bridge in Teston, near Maidstone, and police had no option but to close the crossing, as it is no longer safe.

Rush-hour traffic was this morning forced to use alternative routes, making journeys along roads such as the A26 Tonbridge Road slow going for motorists.

The bridge over the River Medway is medieaval in origin, but was widened in 1749.

It is not yet known if repair work has started on the structure, or how bad the damage is.

Police confirmed they left the site at 7pm last night and passed responsibility on to Kent County Council Highways.

It is not yet known when the bridge is expected to re-open.

Maidstone council has responded to a suggestion that one of its road sweepers was responsible.

A spokesman for Maidstone Borough Council said: "We are happy to confirm that none of our street sweeping vehicles was involved in the incident on Teston Bridge on Thursday afternoon.

"We have checked all the routes they were on and we had none in the area. We have inspected our vehicles for any damage and there isn’t any.

"We have also been in touch with our contractors, Biffa, and they confirm that none of their vehicles was involved.

"Some other organisations operate street sweepers, such as developers who are obliged to clean the road of mud from their building sites. If it was this type of vehicle involved, we can only assume it may have be one of theirs.”