A motorway has been closed after a lorry struck a bridge.

The southbound M20 in Kent is closed between junctions eight at Hollingbourne and nine at Ashford.

Kent Police and officers from National Highways are at the scene after the crash in the early hours of Monday morning.

Specialist equipment will be required to clear the carriageway.

Motorists have been told to follow a diversion route marked by a hollow circle on road signs.

They should leave the M20 at junction eight, take the third exit at the roundabout and at the next roundabout take the first exit on to the A20.

Drivers should then stay on the A20 until the junction with Fougeres Way, which will turn northwards towards junction nine of the M20, allowing them to rejoin the motorway.

There is a height restriction of 4.7m (15.4ft) on this route.

National Highways said plans are being drawn up to allow traffic caught within the road closure to leave the area.