Investigations are underway to discover the cause of a mystery oil spillage that spread through parts of Ashford.

The spillage was believed to have been behind a number of road crashes from skidding cars on Tuesday morning.

Members of the public called in from 7.45am to report sightings of spillage in Park Street, Somerset Road, New Street, Norman Road, Romney Marsh Road outside Asda, Brookfield Road and the Matalan Roundabout.

Police attended a three-vehicle crash at Norman Road near Asda and a four-vehicle collision outside Fitness First in New Street. Neither of these accidents caused injuries.

During the chaos Romney Marsh Road was closed both ways at Norman Road.

South Kent Police spokesman Rosy Alexander said; “It is not clear whether the spillage came from, for instance, an oil tanker or tractor. CCTV would have to be looked at.”

Kent Highway Services were called in the grit the affected roads and motorists were warned to drive with extra care.