A cyclist is appealing for information after she was hit in the head with a rock fired from a catapult.

Gemma Carter Collins suffered swelling and a cut to the back of her head when she was attacked while riding her bike yesterday evening in Church lane, near the junction with Nickley Wood Road, Shadoxhurst.

She took to Facebook later that evening to appeal for information about a group of three teenagers who she thought were responsible, writing:

"I have just been catapulted on the back of the head in Shadoxhurst, while riding my bike just past the Nickley Wood Road junction.

"It hit me really hard between my ear and my ponytail. I’ve a huge lump, a small cut and it made feel quite sick.

"I had to keep my composure and keep riding because I was so so scared and Nick was ahead. I was just a female cyclist, to them. And they did this to me!"

She says she saw two young men, who she thinks were teenagers, and one teenage girl, standing in the driveway of a large house, with a brown pony on a lead just along from Nickley Wood Road at about 7.15pm.

They had disappeared quickly by the time two other cyclists found Gemma at the end of the road in hysterics trying to call 999 and 101.

"They didn’t see them but will check their GoPro," added Gemma. "The police are aware and this is reported as actual bodily harm. I know that finding these b***ards is not likely to happen. But I’m sharing all the same - in case it happens again. In case someone I know knows them.

"I’m absolutely devastated - upset, angry - my children have seen me sobbing. I’m still sobbing."

Police confirmed they had received a report that a woman was assaulted with a catapult while cycling in Shadoxhurst between 7.15pm and 7.30pm yesterday .

At present no suspects have been identified and anyone with information can call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting ZY/049866/18.

Alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.