Five people have been taken to hospital, three with "potentially serious injuries", following a collision which blocked a key route this morning.

The A227 Wrotham Road was closed in both directions earlier this morning after a silver Ford Mondeo collided with a house between Steele's Lane at Meopham Green and Chapmans Hill for South Street.

Emergency services were first called at around 12.30am and the road remained shut until after 9am.

Ambulance spokesman Rich Airey said: "Ambulance crews attended the scene and were joined by the air ambulance service.

"Five patients were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Of these, three patients were taken to King's College Hospital with potentially serious injuries.

"Two patients were taken to Medway Maritime Hospital with injuries thought to be less serious.

"All patients were taken to hospital by road. The air ambulance team joined us in our vehicles to help treat the patients en route to hospital."

Police are searching for two male passengers who left the scene prior to their arrival.

Kent Police spokesman Martin Very said: "Officers are working to establish the circumstances of the collision and are urging anyone who saw the car in the moments leading up to the collision, or who have dash cam footage from the area around the time, to contact them."

Witnesses should call Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting reference 28-0023.

Avoid getting stuck on Kent's roads by keeping up-to-date on all of the latest traffic and travel news here or by following our live blog.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend