A cloud of thick black smoke hung over Basildon after a huge factory fire left the M25 and QEII bridge closed for nearly 24 hours.

Thousands of motorists faced hours of delays yesterday around the busy stretch of the motorway at junction 31, after the blaze ripped through a warehouse in West Thurrock.

The motorway and bridge were closed as billowing smoke left visibility on the road at next to nothing . Queues of up to seven miles were reported stretching into London and Kent.

A 27-mile diversion caused congestion right through to the Blackwall Tunnel in East London.

The bridge and two lanes of the M25 on the Essex side was finally opened at 5am today but junction 31 remained close and one tunnel from Kent to Essex was shut.

Roaring flames from Eagle Global Logistic on the Dolphin Industrial Estate could be seen from the M25 and the smoke could be smelled as far as Basildon.

The fire is predicted to burn for the next couple of days.

David Bill, Essex Fire and Rescue spokesman, said: "There are still about 50 personnel at the scene this morning.

"We are expecting to be fighting it for the rest of the day.

"We have no specific concerns about the smoke being toxic but with all fires we would urge people not to open windows as they drive past."