An exceptionally high tide caused flooding in Strood town centre this afternoon.

Traffic along the A2 London-bound was reduced to a crawling pace in Commercial Road from about 2pm to 3pm.

A double-decker bus got stuck in Canal Road next to the river, near the Riverside Tavern. The road had to be closed to all traffic.

A spokesman for Medway Council said water levels were now receding, but advised drivers to take alternative routes if possible.

Staff at Matalan on Strood Retail Park said they not been affected and business had carried on as normal.

A spokesman for Nu Venture buses, whose 174 service from Chatham to Salter's Cross and Frindsbury got stuck in Canal Road, said: "One of our drivers called for help at about 2pm after getting stuck.

"Fortunately there were no passengers on board.

"We had a recovery on stand-by but one of our engineers managed to get the vehicle out when the tide went down."

ASD Coaches said the flood had a minor affect on its services but all services are now back on track, including the school runs.