A man is fighting for life in a London hospital after suffering serious injuries in a car fire along a quite country lane.

The casualty was discovered collapsed in the vehicle by a dog walker in Poulton Lane, Ash, near Canterbury.

Emergency crews were called to the scene and an air ambulance landed nearby.

Fire crews arrived shortly after 12.30pm on Monday, but the blaze had already been put out.

The man was flown to King’s College Hospital with what were described as “life-threatening injuries”.

Ambulance service spokesman Rich Airey said: “Ambulance crews in three ambulances and one paramedic car attended the scene following reports a man had been found collapsed in a vehicle in Poulton Lane shortly after 12.30pm.

“The air ambulance service joined us at the scene. The man was given emergency treatment before being airlifted to King’s College Hospital in a life-threatening condition.”

An air ambulance report said the man had been exposed to fire and smoke and had suffered burn injuries.

A police spokesman said officers had been called to the lane following reports of concern for the welfare of a man in a car.

It has not been confirmed how the fire started.