The editor of the Kentish Express was seriously injured while cycling after a scaffolder carrying a pole stepped out into the road in front of him.

Robert Barman was riding in Wye with a group of friends from Canterbury Bicycle Club on Saturday when the crash happened at about 10.15am.

Mr Barman was riding along Bridge Street in the centre of the village when he went head-first into the pole.

It struck him on the face, which then knocked him off his bike and left him dazed and in shock. He hit the ground with such force that his helmet was broken.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene, where Mr Barman drifted in and out of consciousness.

He was taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where he required stitches to his chin and forehead and was treated for a black eye and cuts to his face.

He said: “The first I knew of it was when I woke up in the hospital, it’s the first time I’ve ever had a bad accident while out on my bike.

“This week I’m still feeling slightly groggy but I’m trying to get back to normal. I think it shows the importance of wearing a helmet, because it could have been much worse.”

Mr Barman, 47, has been a member of Canterbury Bicycle Club for about two years and had been out riding on a 50-mile route from the city centre.

The group had passed through Hastingleigh and were approaching the Wye level crossing when the accident happened, and the ride was then abandoned.

On Sunday Mr Barman was on editor’s duty for KentOnline but thankfully it was a quiet day.

He added: “It was a bit of a blur because I woke up and realised I was on duty. I’m not sure when I’ll be back on the bike, I don’t want to push my luck.”