Three people have been taken to hospital after a serious crash on the A21 this afternoon.

A car and a van collided on the London-bound carriageway near Pembury at about 12.20pm.

Kent Police said the road is expected to remain closed in both directions for several hours - until at least 5.30pm.

The driver of the car was taken to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, and a female passenger was being taken to King's College Hospital, also in London.

The van driver was taken to The Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

A Kent Police spokesman said all three were conscious when emergency services arrived at the scene, near the Kippings Cross roundabout.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting equipment to rescue the pair from the car.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, with traffic being diverted onto the A26 via Vauxhall Lane and North Farm Retail Park.