The London-bound M2 has re-opened almost 12 hours after a lorry crashed through a barrier and ended up in a ditch.

Emergency services were called to Junction 5 for the A249 towards Sittingbourne and Maidstone at 4.55am.

Just after midday cranes started attempting to lift the lorry out of the ditch.

Highways England said specialist recovery crews had been brought in for the job.

Just before 2pm - when the road was initially expected to re-open, Highways England revealed the M2 was likely to be closed until about 6pm.

A spokesman said the recovery of the lorry was proving more difficult than expected due to extensive damage to the vehicle.

But Highways England announced just after 4pm that they had recovered the lorry and would open the road as soon as possible.

The organisation tweeted: "Recovery of the lorry is complete on M2 westbound at Junction 5. Barrier damage is being made safe. We're hoping to re-open road asap."

The road had re-opened by 4.40pm.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and police said no injuries were reported.

The west-bound carriageway was closed and long delays built up on the approach.

Traffic was diverted off the M2 at the exit slip for Junction 5, around the Stockbury roundabout and back on at the entry slip towards London.

Highways England warned drivers to expect delays of 30 minutes.

Witnesses travelling coastbound reported seeing queues in the London-bound carriageway stretching back three or four miles.

There are still delays in the area stretching back to junction 6 but Highways England said these are easing.

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