Engineers had to check the helicopter following the incident

Two youths have been arrested and bailed following a disturbance which happened after a Kent Air Ambulance helicopter responded to a 999 call.

Police were called after the aircraft landed in a field near The Vine Cricket Ground, Sevenoaks, on Sunday afternoon.

Officers said two people had been seen hanging off the helicopter's tail fin and swinging on the pilot's door.

When the pilot asked them to stop they became verbally aggressive and one grabbed the pilot around his throat.

Kent Police said a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offences, while a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of common assault and public order offences.

Aircraft inspected

Both were given bail pending further inquiries.

The Kent Air Ambulance Service said the incident prevented the helicopter from being used to transport an injured baby, who had to be taken to hospital by road accompanied by the air ambulance's crew.

The aircraft was unable to return to service until it was given a full inspection by an engineer, which was completed on Monday morning.

John Tickner, chief executive, said: "I find it incredible that anybody would want to attack a charity air ambulance and its crew, whose sole purpose is to help seriously injured people in their time of need.

"It is completely unacceptable that any of our staff are subjected to an assault and we will always fully support the police in any further action."