A man from Ashford has been charged with assault following a town centre fight which left a four-year-old girl needing hospital treatment after she was allegedly punched in the face.

Police were called to the incident following reports a fight had broken out in the town’s High Street.

A girl, who was at the scene, is believed to have been hit during the fracas.

She was taken to the William Harvey Hospital with minor injuries.

Three men were arrested following the incident, in July, on suspicion of affray, and all were released on bail until last week.

Now, officers have charged 22-year-old Russell Cook, of Jack Dunbar Place, with assault and common assault.

Cook, who has been released on bail, is due at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Monday, September 22.

The two other men, aged 22 and 27, were released without charge.