A farmer has been flown to hospital by air ambulance after he was knocked over and kicked in the head by a cow.

The man in his 50s suffered head, back, neck and chest injuries this morning at a property in Cockfield near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

The Great North Air Ambulance was called to the scene and flew him to a Middlesbrough hospital in 14 minutes.

A spokesman said the farmer "had been knocked over and kicked in the head by cattle".

He was in a stable condition in hospital having suffered what the air ambulance service said were severe or serious injuries.