Four dogs and a cat were rescued from an overturned vehicle on the M20 in the early hours of this morning.

The pets were in a Volkswagen Touran when it crashed on the coastbound carriageway between junction 8 for Leeds, near Maidstone, and junction 9 for Ashford just before 4am.

The crash caused two animal carrying cases to burst open and when firefighters arrived they discovered one large dog and a cat loose in the back of the vehicle.

Three medium-sized dogs, thought to be collie crosses, were still in their containers.

The owner, a man, is believed to have been driving to the continent.

An ambulance spokesman said the man suffered minor injuries, including a cut on his face, but did not need hospital treatment.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the animals were not injured.

She added: "The vehicle was on its side and our crews had to peer in at an awkward angle to see what was inside. The man was already out when crews arrived and the firefighters encouraged the large dog and the cat out."

Are you the animals' owner? Get in touch by emailing selvey@thekmgroup.co.uk or calling 01622 697795 and we'll help you publicly thank the firefighters.