Video: the scene of the stabbing

A man was rushed to hospital after he was stabbed on Herne Bay seafront.

The 33-year-old victim, who lives locally, was attacked in Market Street shortly after leaving Direct Pizza in Central Parade at 12.30am yesterday.

The road was shut off between Market Street and the Neptune's car park while police carried out their investigations.

Forensics teams were called in and were seen searching and taking photographs of a 2003-registered VW Golf at the scene.

"There was a girl with him, maybe his girlfriend. She was absolutely hysterical. There was a big pool of blood..." - onlooker Ash Towner

Officers also scoured through nearby bins, thought to be looking for a weapon.

Ash Towner was among those to stumble upon the aftermath of the early-morning attack.

He said: "I was out there shortly after it happened.

"The guy was completely knocked out. There was a girl with him, maybe his girlfriend.

"She was absolutely hysterical. There was a big pool of blood.

"The girl said they just came out of the pizza shop and it happened, but why would someone just stab you?"

A huge area of the seafront was taped off by police until the road was reopened at 10.30am.

No arrests have been made and the victim's injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Police believe it was an isolated incident but are now appealing for witnesses. They are asking anybody who witnessed the assault to call them on 101, quoting incident reference 02-0049.