Drivers are being warned that an entire carriageway of the M25 will be shut for several hours tonight.

It comes after a crash involving a lorry and van at around 3am today.

The northbound carriageway will be fully closed at junction 30 near Thurrock between 10pm tonight and 5.30am tomorrow.

Work will be carried out to build a temporary barrier so the three lanes can reopen to traffic tomorrow.

They are expected to be open to traffic on the northbound M25 by 5.30am tomorrow, according to Highways England.

Two people suffered minor injuries in the crash when the Vauxhall Astra van and the light goods vehicle collided.

At one point this morning, queues stretched back eight miles, to junction 4 for the A21 towards Orpington.

Earlier, Highways England warned the M25 would not be clear for a while.

A spokesman said: "The incident has resulted in a large spillage and debris across the carriageway, which will require extensive clean-up."

Both Highways England and Kent County Council's Highways department have advised drivers to allow extra time for their journeys.