FOUR people were taken to hospital today after a crash on the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford. The smash, at about 1.25am, involved a lorry and a coach, believed to be from the Newcastle area, travelling coast-bound.

The four people, including the coach driver, were taken to Ashford's William Harvey Hospital. Kent Ambulance NHS Trust said a further 14 people were treated for minor injuries.

About 40 tourists were on the coach when it hit the lorry head-on. Part of the central crash barrier between junction eight and nine was destroyed and black tyre marks were visible on the carriageway.

The motorway was closed London-bound between the two junctions causing lengthy delays for rush hour commuters. One lane of the coast-bound carriageway was also closed as maintenance work was carried out on the central reservation.

London-bound traffic was diverted along the A20 and roads in Ashford were gridlocked as motorists were diverted from the motorway.