Eight people were badly injured in a head-on crash between a car and a minibus.

It happened at New Dover Road at Capel-le-Ferne just before 1am today and all vehicle occupants were hurt and taken to hospital.

The collision was between a car, with one occupant, and a minibus with seven people and towing a car on a trailer.

A Folkestone Fire Station spokesman said: “All were thought to be seriously injured and all were taken to hospital individually by ambulance.”

Eight ambulances and three paramedic cars were called out along with two fire engines from Dover and Folkestone.

All occupants of the minibus were trapped and firefighters freed them but using hydraulic cutting gear on the panels and doors.

The accident happened on the B2011 at the junction with the A20 towards Folkestone and firefighters were at the scene for two hours.

Stagecoach had to temporarily suspended services on the 101, 100 and 102 because of the road closure, but routes were re-established within a few hours after the road re-opened.