A section of the M25 has reopened this afternoon after an incident in the early hours in which a car struck a barrier, leaving it in danger of plunging onto the M26 below.

The accident happened just after midnight at J5. The M26 was shut east-bound, with the M25 also closed clockwise.

The section around J5 reopened late this afternoon.

Miraculously, the two people inside the car escaped with just cuts and bruises after the dramatic smash.

It is not known how the car crashed into the barrier, and the accident is now being investigated.

The clockwise section of the M25 at J5 remained closed this morning while emergency repair works take place to the barrier.

Kent Police has warned motorists to take extra care when driving in the rain.