A motorcyclist was left trapped under his bike after an electronic car park barrier crashed down onto his head in Canterbury city centre.

Mark Warburton, 64, says he was knocked to the ground as he was beckoned into the recently-upgraded Watling Street car park by an attendant.

The experienced biker, who has submitted an insurance claim, suffered soreness to his neck and shoulders and is now facing a hefty repair bill of about £700.

Canterbury City Council has confirmed it is investigating last Wednesday's incident, while stressing motorcyclists have a separate dedicated entrance to the authority-run car park.

"I'm a pretty strong bloke but I was a bit shaken up by it," said Denton-based sheep farmer Mr Warburton.

"The barrier was already up as a car had just entered the car park.

"The operator beckoned me in as well, but then all of a sudden the barrier came crashing down and hit me with such force.

"It hit my head and landed on the back of my neck and shoulders. I was knocked to the ground with the bike on top of me."

Watling Street is one of 16 council car parks in the district to have recently been fitted with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology.

As vehicles approach, their number plates are read by cameras before the barrier lifts to allow them through.

In an effort to help customers with the roll-out of the new system, a council operative is regularly at the car park to offer assistance.

"Clearly, the operative on duty is trying his best to manage a new system which is just not working," Mr Warburton said.

"He was struggling trying to get the barrier off me and my bike. In order to get the bike free, they had to partly dismantle the barrier after fumbling to get a key."

"If it was a child or pedestrian who knows what could have happened..." Mark Warburton

Mr Warburton, who was formerly in the Navy, was riding a 68-plate Honda Crossrunner when he was forced to the ground.

He is hoping the the authority will cough up and cover the cost of damage to his crash helmet, bike mirrors and top box.

The former Canterbury College teacher added: "It's not right that it should happen - it's very dangerous and it could have been much worse.

"If it was a child or pedestrian who knows what could have happened."

Council spokesman Leo Whitlock says the authority is investigating the incident.

"We were concerned to hear about this incident and a parking officer went to the car park straight away to check Mr Warburton was OK," he said.

"We are looking into what happened, and alongside that, Mr Warburton has submitted an insurance claim which we are investigating.

"Motorcyclists wishing to park in Watling Street should use the dedicated entrance in Marlowe Avenue. Signs are in place to this effect.

"This also allows them to park free of charge."

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