A woman was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries in a two-car crash on the A291 near Wildwood animal park.

Police closed the road at Herne Common between Bullockstone Road and Hicks Forstal Road in both directions for two-and-a-half hours after last night's smash.

A spokesman for ambulance service SECAamb said: "A large number of ambulances attended the scene, including air ambulance.

"There were four or five patients with varying injuries to chest, back and neck who were assessed and treated at the scene.

"At least three were taken to hospital, one by air ambulance."

The crash happened just before 4pm and there were long delays in the area until and the road reopened at 6.30pm.

Two fire crews also attended and administered first aid. A spinal board was used.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue said: "Crews worked closely with paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service and the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance to assess and stabilise four people involved in the incident."