A man was arrested and taken to hospital after a suspected stolen car crashed into a historic building.

The accident happened on the A2 High Street in Newington, between Sittingbourne and Rainham, at the junction with Church Lane.

The Nissan Qashqai caused significant damage to the building at about 6am yesterday.

It's the second time a car has crashed into this building in the space of a year.

Last December a similar incident happened when a blue Ford Fiesta crashed into the ground floor window.

Most of the building has largely sat empty since Vari Bar and Restaurant closed in January 2015.

Sue Flipping, vice-chair of the Newington History Group, said: “This is one of the most historic buildings in the village, dating back to the mid-15th century.

“Older people in the village still remember it as The Inglenook restaurant, later Vari Indian restaurant.

“But over the centuries it’s been a home, a forge, and a grocers.

“It’s a treasured part of Newington’s heritage.

“It’s many uses - including as a blacksmith’s, grocers, even coffin-maker’s at one time - have made it a focal point for villagers over the centuries.”

The man’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A police spokesperson said: “Inquiries have established that a number of other vehicles in the area were reported to have been damaged prior to the collision and the vehicle involved was reported to have been stolen shortly before the collision.

“The man in hospital has been arrested in relation to the incident and the investigation to establish the full circumstances is ongoing.”