A HUGE 50 foot hole has opened up in the middle of the carriageway on the M2 closing the motorway.

The Highways Agency has closed the motorway between Faversham and Sittingbourne.

It is likely to cause commuter chaos across North Kent on the Kent-bound A2 as people try to get home across the county.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "The hole, between junctions 5 and 6, measures approximately five metres by two metres and 15 metres deep.

"The Highways Agency and its contractors are working hard to investigate the hole and the necessary repairs and will reopen lanes as soon as it is safe to do so."

There are currently delays of 15 minutes eastbound and 30 minutes westbound in the area.

Traffic heading to and from Dover is advised to use the M20.

A clearly signed diversion is in place via the A249, the M20, the A20, the A252, and the A251.