A builder visiting Whitstable's Oyster Festival was lucky to avoid serious injuries after a fairground ride derailed yards from his pregnant girlfriend.

Chris Ware says he was "seconds from disaster" after riding the waltzer on the harbour at the opening day of the festival.

The 35-year-old, from Rochester, went on the ride with friend Chris Ambrose and his wife Nicola an hour after getting off the train in Whitstable.

During the ride, the carriage carrying them derailed - throwing Mr Ware and Mrs Ambrose to the concrete, causing minor injuries.

Mr Ware's girlfriend, who is seven months' pregnant, was watching from the stairs at the time and was yards away from the car as it came off the rails.

Health and safety officials have been called in to investigate the ride, which was shut down immediately after the incident.

Kent Police spokesman Jon Green said it is not a police matter and officers are not investigating.

Mr Ware told of the horrific incident, which he believes could have been far worse if a metal spike had not broken the car's momentum.

He said: "It was so old and rickety I don't know why we went on them. They were going too fast. It could have been total carnage.

"Someone could have died and I could have lost my baby. We were lucky we weren't seriously injured.

"It could have been different if it was just seconds later. I'm still having flashbacks now."

St John Ambulance volunteers treated Mr Ware for a bad back and Mrs Ambrose for an ankle injury, with the duo not requiring hospital treatment.

He added: "We were just walking wounded. I tweaked my back and my friend's wife hurt her ankle, but we are okay. Seconds later and it could have been a lot worse.

"I will never go on a fairground ride again unless its from Thorpe Park or Alton Towers.

"They need to chuck those rides out. It would have happened at some point.

"We'd only been there an hour. We got the train from the Oyster Festival and were looking to spend the day there.

"After the incident we just decided to go back."

This year's festival organisers are The Event Umbrella, but they could not be reached for comment.

Whitstable Oyster Festival Association chairman David Roberts said: "The association was given all the assurances by The Event Umbrella that the relevant safety checks had been carried out."

Canterbury City Council spokesman Rob Davies said the authority is aware of the incident.

He said: "We are aware of the incident with a Waltzer ride at the festival on Saturday. The incident was reported to the city council immediately and the ride was closed.

"The incident is now being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive in accordance with standard procedures."

The incident drew criticism from Whitstable councillors, with some calling for local residents to take over the running of the festival.

Tankerton representative Neil Baker (Con) tweeted: "I should keep quiet but who on Earth thought putting a fairground ride in the harbour was a good idea? Hope injuries are minor."

Kent County Council member for Whitstable, Mike Harrison, posted: "Really sad to hear about the accident with cup! What ever happened to the ethos of the O F fun family and free?"

Later, Cllr Baker added: "Whitstable Oyster Festival - brilliant volunteers, company paid taxpayer cash to run it. Needs locals to run it and I will be demanding it."

HSE spokesman Paul Butler said: "We are aware and are making initial enquiries."