The M2 coastbound carriageway was closed at the Farthing Corner services following a crash.

Two cars and a lorry were in collision around 1.30pm this afternoon.

Police shut the road to traffic between junction 4 at Gillingham and junction 5 for Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Maidstone.

The London-bound carriage was also closed for a time when the Kent air ambulance was called but the helicopter landed in a nearby field instead away from overhead power lines.

Unconfirmed reports said an elderly woman was injured and was taken to hospital by road.

A police spokesman said at 3pm: "We were called to a report of a collision involving three vehicles on the coastbound carriageway of the M2 between junction 4 and 5.

"Officers are at the scene along with SECAmb and road closures were put in place on both sides of the carriageway to allow the air ambulance to land.

"Injuries have been reported.

"The London-bound carriageway is no longer closed and the coastbound carriageway is likely to be reopened shortly."

Drivers hoping to use the Lower Road through Lower Halstow as a detour were faced with another delay when Kent Highways closed the route at the Three Tuns pub for pothole repairs.

At the same time, motorists using the A2 were caught up in a drama when police pounced on a car containing two men and a woman.

A police spokesman said a vehicle travelling towards Key Street, Sittingbourne, failed to stop at around 2.30pm and was finally brought to a "controlled stop" by officers.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of theft committed outside Kent.

The spokesman added: "They remain in custody as enquiries continue."