The victim of a vicious attack in the early hours of New Year’s Day has told how his face was stamped on repeatedly as he lay helpless on the ground.

Peter Hancox was walking home from a party in Chartham, near Canterbury, when he was set upon by two men in the early hours.

They both punched him in the face, causing him to fall, and then kicked and stamped on his head.

“I’m not a fighter and it happened so quickly,” the 52-year-old said. “Once they got me on the ground, there was nothing I could do.

“They were younger and fitter and I didn’t stand a chance against two of them.

“It could have been even worse if someone hadn’t pulled up in a car and pulled me in because they were really going for me.”

Mr Hancox, who lives in the village’s Cockering Road, had his front teeth kicked out and suffered severe bruising and swelling to his face.

The assault left him with one of his attacker’s boot prints on his head.

Mr Hancox was treated at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and is now recovering at home, but faces considerable dental repair work.

“I was only lucky that I didn’t have a broken jaw or cheek,” he said.

“It was very frightening at the time and now I’m in a bit of a state of shock, but my friends have been very good and I have had loads of support on Facebook.”

Mr Hancox, who runs an internet-based business from home, had been due to go to Vietnam and Cambodia next week but says the attack means he has had to put off his travel plans.

“It’s caused me all sort of inconvenience and will take some weeks to get over,” he said. “I just hope the police catch who did it to me.”

The attack happened in Updown Way at about 4.30am. Police have now issued an appeal for information.

The two suspects are believed to be in their 30s.

Anyone who can help track them down should call police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference number ZY/000074/18.