Traffic mounted on the M20 after a rubbish fire on the coastbound carriageway.

The blaze occurred between junction 8 A20 Ashford Road at Maidstone and junction 9 A20 Fougeres Way at Ashford at around 3.45pm, and it was out by 4.15pm.

A lane was closed on the contraflow eastbound between the junctions while the carriageway was assessed for damage, but has now reopened.

There were 45 minutes delays on approach at one point, with four miles of congestion.

It is believed the rubbish caught fire in the back of a tipper truck and the driver dumped his load to save the vehicle. There were no injuries.

Traffic has already been slower than usual because Operation Brock has been implemented ready for the Easter Weekend with the carriageway reduced by one lane.