A car crashed into a post office in a Kent village after allegedly failing to stop for police.

The incident happened at around 2.15am Saturday in Hadlow High Street in west Kent.

Police say a black Vauxhall Calibre, travelling from Mereworth towards Hadlow, failed to stop after being asked to by a police patrol car.

According to a police spokesman, the patrol car followed the vehicle for a short distance - but it lost control in Hadlow and crashed into the post office.

The driver suffered a serious head injury and his female passenger, who had to be cut out of the car by firefighters, sustained minor injuries.

Both were taken to the Kent and Sussex Hospital at Tunbridge Wells and are said to be in a stable condition. No other cars were involved.

People living nearby said they were woken by the noise of the car crashing through the front of the post office.

One nearby resident who asked not to be named, said: "The noise was just like an almighty thud. It made my building tremble a bit - like there had been a little explosion."

Trevor Smith-Foreman, of High Street, Hadlow, said: "The fire brigade had to cut the roof off the car to free the female passenger and the car’s roof was on the other side of the road."

Neighbours added that the sub postmaster who runs the business and is thought to live in Maidstone, has been informed of the damage to the post office.

Police said a man had been arrested in connection with the incident.

Hadlow High Street was re-opened at 6.15am.