Two police officers have been injured by a BMW hit-and-run driver in Maidstone town centre.

The pair were hurt when they tried to speak to the motorist before he accelerated away at speed.

Officers later stopped the silver BMW 320 in Ashford Road and two women - aged 22 and 24 - were arrested on suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle.

The driver fled the scene and is still being hunted, police said today.

Police were called at around 1.40am on Sunday after reports of the BMW being driven erratically in the town centre.

A female PC and male special PC tried to talk to the driver, who had stopped at Bank Street and Mill Street junction to pick up passengers.

The driver then sped off, hitting the two officers. Both suffered minor injuries, including cuts and bruises, and did not need hospital treatment.

Kent Police now want to speak to anyone who saw the BMW being driven around Maidstone in the early hours of Sunday or anyone who knows the identity of the driver.

The two women have been released on police bail until Sunday, August 25.

Phone PC James Chichester at Maidstone police station on 01622 604266 or 01622 604268. To leave information anonymously, phone Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.