A horrified driver filmed the hair-raising moment a reckless motorist dangerously overtook a series of cars on a busy bypass.

Phillip West, who had his wife and small children with him, had to swerve to miss being struck by the oncoming Mercedes.

Mr West. a Eurotunnel train driver, filmed the silver car on his dashcam as he drove down the A256 Sandwich Bypass.

The 26-second clip shows the driver getting past at least two cars.

The car in front is seen being forced to straddle the outer white line to avoid being hit by the oncoming driver.

Mr West, 36, from Dover, said: "I came across this idiot in a silver Mercedes overtaking a line of cars.

"What aggravated me the most is that I had my whole family in the car, wife and two sons.

"Had I sneezed or something at that moment it could very well have been a fatal accident.

"I have reported this to Kent Police in the hope they track the driver down and give him some friendly advice on how not to drive his car."

Mr West was travelling home from Ramsgate with his wife Rachel and sons Charlie, four, and Bradley, six, when the near-miss happened last Saturday at about 5pm.

The family had been there to buy a new BMX bike for Bradley.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police received a report of a car driving dangerously on the A256 near Sandwich at around 5pm on Saturday, June 16.

"Officers are carrying out initial enquiries into the circumstances."