The Island-bound carriageway of the Sheppey Crossing was shut this afternoon following a suspected diesel leak from a lorry.

Police were trying to trace the lorry which spilled its load from the top of the bridge as far as the new Cowstead Corner roundabout along the inside lane of the carriageway.

It happened just before 2pm and the carriageway was expected to be shut for most of the afternoon while workers from the Highways Agency cleared the road.

Traffic coming on to the Island was diverted across the Kingsferry Bridge but those going Sittingbourne-bound were not affected.