A woman has been taken to hospital after being hit by a car while walking along the pavement.

The drama happened around 8am this morning.

Witnesses reported seeing two cars, including a white Ford Fiesta, racing along First Avenue, Sheerness, moments before the crash.

The Fiesta was then in collision with a Swale Heating van at the junction of Victoria Street. The van was spun around by the force of the impact and left on the pavement next to a pillar box.

It is understood an Audi car swerved to avoid the crash and hit the woman.

The Kent air ambulance landed on a park in Vincent Gardens around 8.30am.

The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was taken to King's College Hospital, London, by road with serious injuries to her head, chest and lower leg.

Graeme Coultrip, who lives in First Avenue, heard the accident.

He said: "I was sitting in the living room watching TV with my wife and son and we heard the noise of cars whizzing past and then there was an almighty bang.

"I came out to see what had happened and saw there had been a crash. People then started saying there was a woman under one of the cars."

He added: "It was a shock. You don't expect something like this to happen right outside your house."

Police officers taped off the area. They were still at the scene at 11.30am.

A police spokesman confirmed they were called to a three-car crash in First Avenue just after 8am.

He added: "A woman has been taken to a London hospital with serious injuries. A road closure remains in place. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes where possible."