A woman and teenage girl had to scramble onto the a roof of a car after it submerged in a dyke.

The black car had gone off the road at Church Road, Burmarsh, at 6.15pm last night.

The pair managed to clamber out of the car as it sank in the water.

They dialled 999 on a mobile phone and waited to be rescued.

Folkestone Fire Station watch manager Vic Thorogood said: "It was a wide and deep dyke and it was particularly treacherous because there was about 2ft of mud at the bottom, which they could have sunk in."

One fire engine from the Lydd station was called out along with a specialist water rescue unit from Folkestone.

Two firefighters had to wade into the water to carry the victims out.

They were protected from sinking by being attached to lines and wearing specialist suits that gave them buoyancy, like life jackets.

It is thought the girl and middle aged woman had been stuck on the roof for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Fire crews were at the scene for two hours and police and paramedics were also called to the scene. The woman and girl were not thought to be hurt.