Thousands of lorry drivers have been dealt with by Kent Police and Highways England for illegal and unsafe parking.

Since December 2015, officers have moved on, fined or clamped 3,703 HGVs as part of a drive to keep Kent's roads safe.

The majority - 3,098 - were moved on, while 579 long-distance drivers were slapped with fines, 11 were moved on and then "immobilised" - usually with clamps - for initially refusing to pay their fines and a further 15 were dealt with for other traffic offences.

As part of the crackdown, officers have been visiting locations including the A2 near Cobham and Lydden, the M20 between junction nine and Dover and the M2 Farthing Corner.

Chief Inspector Tony Dyer from Kent's roads policing unit said: "Long-distance drivers need to take breaks both for their health and as a legal requirement but it is not acceptable to endanger other road users.

"There are facilities, not just in Kent, where HGVs can stop to take breaks and we continue to urge drivers to plan their journeys and take into consideration where they can stop safely and legally.

"We will continue to target those who disregard this simple message and park on hard shoulders and slip roads.".