A man is fighting for his life and two boys, aged 10 and 12, have serious injuries after a crash this afternoon.

The 75-year-old man has been airlifted to a London hospital and the two boys have been taken to a local hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

All three of them were travelling in a grey Nissan Micra which was involved in a collision with a silver Citroen Berlingo at around 2.10pm today in Lydd Road, New Romney.

The A259 road remains closed as officers carrying out enquiries and police are now appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the accident.

A host of emergency vehicles descended on the scene to deal with the crash which happened near the notorious Hammonds Corner junction and Oasis Cafe in Old Romney.

Four ambulances, three cars and South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) service's hazardous area response team (HART) joined colleagues from the police and fire service.

A SECAmb spokesman said: "A man aged in his 70s was taken as a priority, fully conscious with a possible chest injury.

"Another man in his 70s, the driver, also fully conscious with collar bone and hip injuries.

"Two young boys who were both fully conscious. One was immobilised for potential injuries in a neck collar and long board and suffering chest pain so possible injuries there.

"The second boy was suffering from chest and arm injuries and also was fully conscious and taken to the William Harvey.

"Non life-threatening injuries were described throughout."

The road was closed in both directions between the B2075 Romney Road junction and the Oasis Cafe causing lengthy delays in the area.

Drivers were advised to use alternative routes with police diverting traffic via the B2075.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or the moments before it took place should urgently call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference 23-0716.

Alternatively email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.