A man had to be rescued after plunging 15ft down a hole on top of cliffs at Capel-le-Ferne.

The victim has been airlifted to hospital in London with potentially serious head injuries, the ambulance service confirmed.

It is believed the man fell into a former wartime underground bunker.

Specialist rescue teams have been in the area for much of the afternoon and police remain there.

Crews from the coastguard, fire service, the ambulance's hazardous area response team (HART) and police were called to the scene just before 1pm.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "We attended near the Valiant Sailor pub in New Dover Road.

"A man suffered a fall into a hole. A technical rescue was needed so fire were on the scene and so were coastguard.

"The air ambulance has been there and the patient has left the scene taken to St George's Hospital and suffered head injuries which are potentially serious."

Several ambulance vehicles were sent to the scene with two ambulances, two cars and and Secamb's HART crew.

A rescue team from Kent Fire and Rescue Service attended at 1.02pm to bring somebody up from a cliff ledge.

A spokesman for the coastguard said shortly before 3pm: "We were offering our assistance in a technical rescue. All of our teams are now departing the scene."

It is understood the Health and Safety Executive has been informed by the police.

Stories you might have missed

Sentences slashed after gran's shop murder

Man kicked dog so hard it could not stand up

Op Stack scaled back

Brutal dog attack leaves owner devastated