A routine evacuation closed two of Maidstone town centre's car park as drivers battled queues following a rush-hour crash this morning.

Motorists faced long delays after the smash involving two cars in Lower Stone Street, near the junction with Knightrider Street just after 6am.

Amid the chaos The Mall's rooftop and multi-storey car parks were temporarily closed while staff carried out an evacuation, which the centre is legally required to do twice a year.

The entrance barriers were shut to drivers and stores in The Mall were also involved in the evacuation, which took 15 minutes from start to finish.

A spokesman said when the centre has committed to carrying out a full evacuation, it has to stick to the date as the emergency services are invited along as part of the procedure.

The Lower Stone Street crash was reported at 6.20am and the road was temporarily closed, but some four hours later motorists were still experiencing delays.

Queues were particularly heavy on Sittingbourne Road, Lower Stone Street, Upper Stone Street and College Road.

Traffic has now eased.