A key route was shut late into the night after a serious crash at Blue Bell Hill.

The southbound carriageway of the A229 was closed for seven hours after the two-vehicle smash just after 4.30pm.

Several police cars, ambulances and fire engines were called to the scene.

At just gone 6pm Kent Police Roads unit said the south-bound carriageway was likely to be closed for around five hours.

The crash is thought to have happened just before the Shell petrol station.

Traffic queued back onto the M2 from J3 for Chatham, Maidstone and Rochester.

There were also delays on the A229 northbound, going past the scene. Traffic was earlier queuing on the M2 London-bound between J3 for Chatham and Maidstone, and J2 for Strood, due to a broken down vehicle. All lanes have now reopened.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area if possible, as long delays were expected.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 4.37pm following a collision involving two vehicles on Bluebell Hill.

"The incident was in the Maidstone bound carriageway. Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service are currently at the scene and road closures are in place."