A key road was shut in both directions this evening due to a crash which resulted in a man being rescued by firefighters.

The accident, involving a van and lorry, happened on the A20 between Capel-le-Ferne and Aycliffe at about 4.20pm today (Wednesday).

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "On arrival crews found a man in his 50s trapped by his injuries in one of the vehicles.

"Firefighters removed the door to gain access to him.

"He was transferred to the care of paramedics. Crews made the scene safe."

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of a road traffic collision involving a lorry on the A20 near Dover at approximately 4.20pm.

" Ambulance crews attended and were joined at the scene by the air ambulance service.

"The lorry driver was treated at the scene before being airlifted to William Harvey Hospital with potentially serious injuries."

A spokesman for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance said: "Our crew arrived on scene at 16:45pm where they helped to treat the patient who was then taken to hospital by aircraft."

The London-bound carriageway of the A20 was closed between the A256 York Street, Dover, and the M20 Junction13 at Folkestone. It reopened at about 6.45pm.

The port-bound side was also closed between A260 at Hawkinge and the A256 but has since been scaled down to just a single lane closure.

Kent County Council's highways department, which put out an alert at 5.21pm today, said that emergency services, including the air ambulance, and Highways England were in attendance.

Diversion were in place via the B2011 Folkestone Road, in both directions.

KCC warned drivers to expect delays in the surrounding areas.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover