Drivers' blood pressures were no doubt rising as fast as thermometers as traffic heading towards the coast became stuck in tailbacks following a five-car collision on the M2.

The carriageway was left partially blocked, with traffic queuing between J5 (A249 Sittingbourne/Maidstone) and J6 (A251 Faversham) at 9.40am.

The incident was causing long tail-backs. Traffic volumes are expected to be much higher this bank holiday weekend as sun-seekers make most of the weather which is expected to reach 22 degrees Celcius today and possibly 25 degrees tomorrow.

There were no reports of serious injuries, though a woman was treated at the scene by a paramedic for a minor facial injury. There is congestion in the area but it is expected to return to normal soon.