Fire crews battled a blazing truck on the A249 dual carriageway at Stockbury near Sittingbourne tonight.

Three fire engines were at the scene at the height of the blaze which was spotted around 8.30pm.

As flames threatened to set fire to passing cars and at least three other lorries parked in the lay-by, police closed the Sheppey-bound carriageway from the M2 at junction 5 to Key Street roundabout at Sittingbourne.

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Commuters on their way home were diverted along Chestnut Street, the old Sittingbourne road.

An eye-witness who drove past the inferno just before the carriageway was closed said: "The vehicle was completely ablaze. It looked like the flames were going to set fire to the other lorries parked next to it."

It is not yet known how the fire started. No one was injured.

Vehicles driving from Sittingbourne to the M2 were not affected.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to a vehicle alight on the A249 Sheerness-bound, near the Stockbury Roundabout, at 8.24pm on Tuesday.

"Officers attended and provided assistance to crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service who extinguished the blaze.

"No injuries were reported, however, a lane closure was enforced to ensure public safety."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to a van alight with smoke coming from the engine in a lay-by on the A249 Sheppey-bound at 8.20pm.

A spokesman said: "The fire spread to a lorry parked nearby. Three fire engines attended and crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hose-reel jets to extinguish the flames. There were no reported injuries. Kent Police closed the road."