A BUILDER broke his arm and leg when he slipped and fell while repairing a roof.

The accident happened on Wednesday at Park Cottages, Charlton Lane, West Farleigh, near Maidstone, when the man lost his footing and fell about three metres to the ground.

Kent Air Ambulance was called and landed in a field next to the house. Paramedics cut through a boundary fence to reach the man and lift him into the helicopter, which flew him to Maidstone Hospital. It is thought he suffered a broken leg, arm, and possibly a broken ankle.

Resident Chris Stockwell said that although the patient was clearly hurt, he remained in good spirits.

"The builders were doing some work, part of which was to repair the roof," said Mr Stockwell, who works as a design technology teacher at Maidstone's Oakwood Park Grammar School.

He added: "It was quite dramatic, but the patient was able to give the thumbs up while they stretchered him away."