The M20 was brought to a standstill last night when two horses ran onto the carriageway.

The motorway was closed in both directions at about 6.40pm while police tried to rescue the animals, which had escaped from a nearby field.

A Kent Police spokesman said the pair were spotted in lane one of the London-bound carriageway, between junction 9 for Ashford and junction 8 for Hollingbourne, Maidstone.

The owners were called and came to collect the horses.

Both sides were re-opened by 7pm.