AN ACCIDENT that left a cyclist seriously injured brought a Kent city centre to a standstill yesterday.

A 26-year-old man had to be airlifted to hospital with serious head, facial and limb injuries after his bicycle was in collision with a car on the London-bound carriageway of Rheims Way in Canterbury at around 3.30pm.

Kent Air Ambulance took the man to The Royal London hospital. Police and ambulance crews were also in attendance.

The road was closed and traffic diverted away from the scene, which caused huge tailbacks and chaos in other parts of the city.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.