Motorists are being urged to avoid the M25 following a "serious collision" involving a car and a lorry, which has caused a large fuel spillage.

National Highways has reported that the A282 QEII Bridge at the Dartford Crossing is closed southbound after the accident.

It has warned drivers that they face long delays on the motorway as all lanes will require resurfacing, while barriers will need repair work.

Police remain on the scene to assess the accident, as preparations will take place to carry out emergency repairs once the investigation is complete.

The M25 crash will see the road closed for several hours

National Highways: East has warned that the closure is expected to remain in place for "several hours".

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We remain at the scene with fire and ambulance colleagues. One person is reported to have minor injuries.

"It is important drivers affected by this incident continue to drive safely and we ask drivers for their patience while we make sure the road is safe."

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that it had sent an ambulance to the QEII Bridge, adding that a woman has been transported to Basildon University Hospital with a "minor injury".

Traffic maps show long delays and stationary traffic along the M25 approaching the QEII Bridge

All traffic travelling southbound or clockwise along the M25/A282 is being diverted through the east bore tunnel.

As a result, northbound tunnel traffic is confined to using the west bore Dartford Tunnel only.

There will be a height restriction of 4.8 metres (15'9"), with any taller vehicles required to seek an alternative route.

National Highways added: "If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time."

Motorists are being encouraged to plan ahead if they need to travel later, with experts suggesting they may want to re-route or even delay their journey.

National Highways: East continued: "Further information is available from National Highways by visiting our trafficengland.com website and travel apps, or via our regional X feed."

The crash has caused congestion along the M25 network, with stationary traffic from the Dartford Crossing to Junction 29 (A127).

From here, stationary or slow-moving traffic is in place until Junction 27 near Theydon Bois.

National Highways said extensive repairs would be required following the crash and fuel spill

Data from Traffic England suggests that the congestion will not clear for at least an hour and a half against expected traffic.

Drivers could face even more trouble on the road, with normal traffic conditions not expected to return until 5pm.

There are fears that the resurfacing works and investigations could continue into rush hour, when thousands of drivers will be travelling out of London into Kent or Essex.

Delays of an hour are being seen on the M25 in Kent anticlockwise between J4 and J1A, with normal traffic conditions expected at 4pm.