Witnesses are being sought after three pensioners were injured in a serious head-on crash on the A21.

The smash between a car and a van closed a stretch of the road near Pembury for more than six hours yesterday afternoon.

The male driver of the car, an 83-year-old man from Hadlow, was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, where he remains in a serious condition.

His 78-year-old wife, a passenger in the same vehicle, was also taken by air ambulance to King's College Hospital, London, for treatment for serious injuries.

The only occupant of the van, a 70-year-old man from Hawkhurst, was taken to The Tunbridge Wells Hospital, in Pembury, but has since been released.

The crash between a blue Ford Focus and a white Mercedes Veto van happened at just after 12.20pm.

Traffic was diverted onto the A26 while the cause of the collision was investigated. The road reopened at 6.50pm.

Witnesses or anyone who stopped at the scene who are yet to speak to police are asked to phone the Kent Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting 06-0521.