An MP has warned roadworks which have caused overnight closures of a motorway need to be finished so Kent can be "prepared whatever happens" ahead of Brexit.

Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately voiced her concerns as drivers face closures of the M20 in both directions between junction 7 for Detling and junction 9 for Ashford.

The works are seeing crossover gates and emergency access gates installed in preparation for Operation Brock, the post-Brexit answer to Operation Stack.

Closures last from 8pm to 6am on the coastbound carriageway until Wednesday morning.

London-bound lanes are shut overnight between the same two junctions between 8pm and 6am until Monday, March 25.

The coastbound carriageway will close overnight again this week on Saturday and Sunday night.

In September experts said the government faced a race against time to get preparation works finished ahead of Brexit.

After Operation Stack wreaked havoc on Kent's roads last week, Faversham and Mid Kent's MP is calling for works on its replacement to finish before the UK leaves the EU.

Helen Whately said: "We thought we’d seen the back of Operation Stack, but Kent once again ground to a halt last week – this time because of bad weather.

"It was a grim reminder of 2015, with short journeys taking hours, children unable to get to school and businesses losing money.

"This shows why we badly need to get these roadworks finished so that traffic continue to flow.

"With so much uncertainty about Brexit we must be prepared whatever happens.

"Unfortunately, this does mean drivers will have to put up with overnight closures for the next few weeks, but I’m glad that Highways England have listened to me and other Kent MPs and agreed to re-open the motorway early whenever possible.

"This should help minimise disruption."