There are tailbacks for several miles between Ashford and Folkestone on the M20 this evening.

Vehicles have been queueing back past Sellindge on the coastbound carriageway with a diversion in place at junction 11 for Hythe since 4pm.

Police and highways officers have closed three lanes of the motorway because of the ongoing issues and delays experienced as a result of the lorry fire in the Channel Tunnel at the weekend.

The Highways Agency are advising that normal traffic conditions will not return until around 6pm.

There are delays for freight traffic using the Channel Tunnel of up to five hours this evening as the havoc continues following the weekend's fire.

Meanwhile, Kent Police road policing unit are warning drivers to use alternative routes such as the A20 to avoid the distruption.

A police spokesman added: "The congestion is a knock-on effect of the Channel Tunnel issues so we’re advising motorists to find alternative routes home if at all possible."