A man has been airlifted to hospital with head injuries after a serious crash on the M2 this morning.

Drivers faced delays of at least an hour after the smash on the London-bound stretch between J4 (Gillingham) and J3 (Chatham) at about 7.40am.

Kent Police said two vehicles are reported to have hit the central reservation.

One man was cut free by firefighters after the crash between a van and four-wheeled drive vehicle.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said a man who had been travelling in the car was flown to King's College Hospital, in London.

The 49-year-old's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Heavy congestion built as the road was shut in both directions during the rush-hour.

The coast-bound carriageway, shut while the Kent Air Ambulance landed, re-opened after around an hour.

The London-bound stretch remained closed until around 9.45am for recovery work.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "We were called to a report that a 4x4 collided with the central reservation. It is also reported that a van hit the central reservation.

"Injuries are not thought to be life-threatening at this stage."

A witness spotted three ambulances at the scene and said the air ambulance landed in a nearby field just after 8am.

Kent Fire and Rescue service said crews used hydraulic cutting equipment to free a man who was trapped in a vehicle.

Congestion on the M2 was stretching back to J5 for the A249 at Sittingbourne.

Kent Highways said delays of an hour were expected and urged drivers to avoid the area.

Meanwhile, one lane of the A2 was shut coast-bound at Barham at about 8.30am.

Police were at the scene and motorists were warned to expect delays.