TWO men are seriously ill in hospital after their car caught fire following an horrific crash on the M20 motorway early today.

The accident occurred on the coastbound carriageway between junction one at the M25 and junction two at Wrotham near the Brands Hatch racing circuit shortly after midnight.

The two men, both from Maidstone and in their 30s, were travelling in a Mercedes car which was in collision with a Dutch-registered Volvo articulated lorry. The car became wedged under the lorry and both vehicles caught fire. Passing motorists rescued the driver and passenger from the burning car.

The men were taken to Maidstone Hospital where their condition was described as serious. The lorry driver was not injured.

Fire crews from Larkfield and Swanley tackled the burning vehicles and the motorway was closed for five hours while the road was cleared. Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident. Anyone with any information should call PC Terry Collins at Kent Traffic Police on 01622 690690.