Two men and a woman have been charged with attempted murder after a teenage boy suffered stab wounds and was airlifted to hospital.

Kenny Harmsworth, 22, and 18-year-olds Lewis Whittington and Bailey Turpin were due to appear in court this afternoon following the incident in Canterbury.

Events unfolded at about 6.50pm on Wednesday in Shaftesbury Road, which soon became a hive of police activity.

Officers found the injured teenager, aged 17, who was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital in an air ambulance helicopter.

A cordon was in place while officers investigated, and the three suspects – who are believed to be known to the victim – were arrested after a thorough search of the area.

Harmsworth, of Walden Court, Canterbury, Whittington, of no fixed address, and Turpin, of the city’s Alfred Close, have all now been charged with attempted murder.

A police spokesman added: “Mr Whittington was also charged with one count of possessing drugs with intent to supply.”

The three were remanded in custody ahead of an appearance at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.