A MAN burned to death in his car after it was in collision with another car in the county.

The crash happened on the A268 at Megrims Hill, Sandhurst, near Cranbrook, close to its junction with Silverden Lane at about 10pm on Thursday.

Onlookers tried in vain to free the 29-year-old driver, from Sandhurst, as his Mini Cooper caught fire but were beaten back by the intense flames.

The driver of the second car, a Renault Megane, suffered multiple injuries. His car also caught fire but passers-by were able to free him from the wreckage. He was later taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

The Sussex police helicopter carrying thermal imaging equipment was called in to make sure no-one from either car had wandered off, possibly injured.

Firefighters from Cranbrook and Hawkhurst fought the blaze and the Cranbrook crew returned at 2am to remove the man's body. His identity has not been released.

The road was closed until around 5am.