KENT Police are treating a serious assault on a 74-year-old pensioner as attempted murder.

The assault occurred in Albert Bishop's terraced home opposite Willesborough Baptist Church in Hythe Road, Ashford, on Sunday, March 18, at around midday.

Mr Bishop had just returned from Ashford Sunday Market where he helped at a fruit and vegetable stall.

He was taken to Ashford's William Harvey Hospital with serious head injuries and was later transferred to a hospital in Essex for specialist treatment.

At one stage his condition was described as critical but he is now said to be improving.

Detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have been waiting at a bus stop opposite the Willesborough Baptist Church in Hythe Road, Ashford, or in the vicinity and saw or heard anything suspicious on March 18.

Det Supt Paul Gladstone, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are doing everything we can to find out who attacked this man. We cannot go into further details about the incident at this stage but we have officers working on several lines of inquiry.”

The incident room telephone number at Ashford Police Station is 01233 896377. Alternatively call Crimestoppers Hotline on 0800 555111. Calls to Crimestoppers are free, you do not have to give your name and you may be eligible for a reward.