A large emergency services response descended on the Kent coast as police launched a manhunt following a serious assault.

A property in Linden Road, Westgate-on-Sea, has been cordoned off, a suspect has been arrested and a man has been taken to a London hospital via air ambulance.

Police and paramedics were called to the seaside town just after 8am this morning.

The air ambulance landed close to an address in Linden Road just after 9.45am before transporting the victim to a major trauma centre by air. He suffered multiple injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Patrol cars and ambulances are at the scene, while residents also reported a police helicopter circling the area.

A spokesperson for the police said officers were called following a report that a man had been assaulted at a property in Linden Road.

“Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and an air ambulance and the man was flown to a London hospital with serious injuries,” they added.

“A 49-year-old man, who is known to the victim, was later arrested near Sea Road in connection with the incident.

“He has been taken into custody and officers remain in the area carrying out inquiries.”