Highways bosses have confirmed the Dartford Crossing will be closed entirely later this month for maintenance works.

The bridge crossing the River Thames between Kent and Essex, which is one of the busiest in Europe, will be shut for one night.

It is to allow National Highways’ workers to paint metal components on the structure, which takes traffic heading back into Kent, to protect them from corrosion.

The closure next weekend will be in place from 10pm on Saturday, April 26, to 5am on Sunday, April 27.

Further works will see the eastern tunnel - crossing from Kent to Essex - shut from 10pm next Sunday until 5am on Monday, April 28.

Dartford-bound traffic will be diverted via the east tunnel, while Essex-bound vehicles will be able to use the west tunnel.

Vehicles which are between 4.8m and 5.0m high will be diverted via the M25.

Up to 180,000 vehicles use the QEII Bridge during its busiest times.

It was designed to handle 135,000 vehicles a day, but the average is now 150,000.