Kent Fire and Rescue Service has criticised people who played a game of football on the hard shoulder of the M2 during a rescue operation today.

The M2 was closed after a car overturned between Junction 3 at Chatham and Junction 4 at Gillingham around lunchtime today.

One lane of the coastbound carriageway reopened earlier this afternoon after a diversion was put in operation.

Some of those caught in the resulting traffic jams decided to have a kickabout on the hard shoulder rather than sit in their cars.

But they were criticised by fire crews, who said their actions could have endangered other motorists.

A spokesman said: "People doing this are endangering themselves and could prevent emergency access to incidents."