Drivers of illegally parked lorries have been hit with fines, moved on or even stopped in their tracks by police as part of a months-long campaign.

A total of 545 lorries have been caught by officers across Kent since the operation started on February 6 this year.

Key locations targeted include the M20 at junctions eight, 11 and 13, the A20 at Capel-le-Ferne, the M2 Farthing Corner and the A2 near Cobham and Canterbury.

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In less than three months, a total of 494 lorries were moved on for parking on the hard shoulder or motorway slip roads in Kent.

A further 46 lorries were issued with fines, while one vehicle was immobilised after its driver failed to pay a fine.

Traffic offence reports were issued to a further four HGVs.

It's claimed the "irresponsible parking" by long-distance lorries has continued despite there being room in the county’s lorry parks.

VIDEO: Patrolling officers catch lorry drivers parking irresponsibly on the A2

Supt Ian Hall said: "The message we have had back from lorry drivers is the current facilities are not able to cope and are always at capacity.

"Yet just last week while we were moving lorries on from parking illegally and unsafely on the road network, our officers visited these lorry parks and found some were only half full.

"Our message has been clear from the beginning – long distance drivers should plan their journeys and factor in rest breaks at safe and legal locations or face the consequences.

"Parking for a rest on the hard shoulder puts others at risk and will not be tolerated."