MOTORISTS faced gridlock during this morning's rush-hour as they attempted to find alternative routes to the M20 following a lorry fire near Maidstone.

Police temporarily closed off junction 6 of the motorway at Sandling at about 8.20am while the lorry was removed from the carriageway.

Several motorists had dialled 999 to report the trailer of the lorry alight. Firecrews from Maidstone and Larkfield were sent to the scene.

At about 9.25am one lane was opened but the inside lane remained shut. Drivers trying to find alternative routes faced back-to-back traffic as they attempted to get round Maidstone.

It was the second incident to affect the London-bound carriageway this morning.

Several cars were earlier involved in a pile-up near junction 4 of the M20 at Leybourne. Two vehicles struck the central reservation. No-one was hurt in the incident.