The Thanet Way has been blocked as emergency crews treat casualties and free trapped vehicles following two crashes.

Police were called just after 5pm to a single-vehicle crash on the coast-bound carriageway of the Thanet Way just before Whitstable.

The crash involved a Peugeot 106, with the driver suffering minor injuries.

But as police set up a rolling road block for that crash a second collision occurred at 5.24pm.

This involved five cars: a Ford Galaxy, a Peugeot 207, a Ford Fiesta, a VW Passat and a VW Golf.

Police have closed the coast-bound carriageway while they deal with the incident and drivers are advised to find alternate routes. Ambulance crews are also on the scene.

Police have asked drivers to avoid the area, as emergency crews try to free the trapped vehicles.

One witness described seeing three police vehicles and two ambulances go past.

The treatment of casualties is currently taking priority.

A tweet from Kent Police roads just before 7pm revealed police were still at the scene.

They said the road was likely to be shut until at least 8.30pm to have the vehicles recovered and barrier repairs assessed.