A young boy has been seriously injured in a road accident in Dartford.

The 12-year-old is believed to have been crossing Temple Hill Square, outside Mallard Close, at about 3.45pm on Tuesday when he was hit by a vehicle.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said he had been rushed to Darent Valley Hospital with head injuries.

Residents and shop owners on the square say police sealed off the road for several hours, but the force was unable to confirm any further details.

Jacqui Philips, who works at Hilltop Bakery, in Temple Hill Square, said: "My understanding is that it was a young boy who had got off the school bus outside the car park to Temple Hill Square. He was hit by an oncoming car and all entrances to the square were sealed off by police until about 6pm.

"Children coming into the bakery today (Wednesday) told me that the child had suffered two broken legs and broken ribs."