Two men hit by a van were staff members working on a new charity shop, it has emerged.

The pedestrians were taken to hospital after the incident, which happened in a service yard at the Pentagon Shopping Centre yesterday afternoon.

The air ambulance landed near the bus station and the crew was seen running into the centre.

Both men were taken to hospital by land ambulance. One of the men suffered arm, leg and head injuries, and the other was taken as a precaution.

The incident happened in the service yard of the new British Heart Foundation Store which is due to open later this month.

Rachel Langley, area manager at the BHF, said: “An unfortunate accident involving a lorry occurred outside the BHF Furniture and Electrical store in Chatham which is currently being investigated.

"Two members of the Chatham team were injured and taken to hospital. We wish them a speedy recovery.”

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police was called at 1.40pm to a report of a collision at The Pentagon in Chatham.

"It was reported a van was in collision with two male pedestrians."