A dramatic high-speed chase involving more than a dozen police cars ended in a crash on the Thanet Way this afternoon.

Officers were pursuing a red BMW along the busy London-bound stretch when the smash happened between the Dargate services and Brenley Corner.

Reporter Aidan Barlow found himself involved in the drama, which unfolded just after 5pm.

He said: "I'd slowed down to 30mph and had my hazard lights on when all of a sudden out of nowhere a car raced up behind me and slammed into the back of me.

"It must've been doing 90mph. It then tried to drive off, lost control and hit a lamppost. The police then tried slamming into the car to stop it.

"A man then got out of the car and ran off into the woods near Mount Ephraim Gardens. The police helicopter is hovering overhead.

"There are loads of police in the area. The whole road is shut off London-bound. My car is in the middle of the road. It's a write off."

An 18-year-old man was been arrested and is still being held in police custody. A woman, thought to be a passenger in the BMW, suffered minor injuries.

Police spokesman Adam Westgarth said: "At 4.55pm, Kent Police became aware of a vehicle which had failed to stop when requested to do so by officers in Nixon Avenue, Ramsgate.

"Officers on patrol were authorised to pursue the vehicle which made its way onto the A299. The suspect's vehicle then collided with another vehicle and came to a stop.

"A man was arrested by officers at 5.13pm and remains in custody. A female occupant of the vehicle reportedly sustained minor injuries.

"The London-bound carriageway is closed and diversions are in place."

The coast-bound carriageway is open but the London-bound lane is expected to be sealed off for several hours, with delays continuing into the evening.

Witness Jose Fernandez, 48, who works at Chaucer Insurance in Whitstable, said: "I was driving along when I heard a massive bang behind me.

"A colleague of mine was driving along the same road and she was spun around. She was bleeding but conscious."