Traffic was being held on the M20 this lunchtime following a van fire.

The blaze occurred just after 11am on the London-bound carriageway of the motorway between junction 9 for Ashford and junction 8 for Leeds, Maidstone.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesperson said one fire engine was called at 11.13am and that the blaze has now been put out.

A Kent Police spokesman added: "We were called at 11.17 regarding a truck on fire near junction 9 of the London bound carriageway of the M20.

"Officers attended the scene and closed a lane while Kent Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire on the vehicle which had stopped on the hard-shoulder."

Traffic was released just after 12pm but highways chiefs advise drivers allow extra time for their journeys and to approach with caution.