A motorist managed to pull over into a lay-by before his car went up in flames.

Two appliances, one from Medway and Sittingbourne, were called to the incident on the A249 Sheppey-bound carriageway at 8.10am.

The driver of the blue Volkswagen Bora was already out of the vehicle when the firefighters arrived.

One engine stopped in the slow lane of the road to slow traffic down due to smoke billowing across the carriageway and reducing visibility.

The other pulled up 50 metres behind it to make motorists aware there was an incident ahead forcing them to switch lanes.

As a result there were tailbacks in the area.

The flames were out by 8.45am which is when the traffic flow returned to normal.

Watch manager Neil Ryder said: “The man had difficulties while driving so pulled off the carriageway.

"When he stopped he opened the bonnet up and that’s when he noticed the flames, put it down and dialled 999.

“Nine times out of 10 people pull up where they can so it was nice this one was off the main carriageway, it was a bit of luck on his part really.”