POLICE have appealed for witnesses after a woman was stabbed in the head in a street packed with shoppers.

The attack happened near Woolworths in Canterbury when the 21-year-old became involved in an argument with a man in his twenties.

The dispute escalated into a fight which resulted in the woman receiving a stab wound to the back of the head. She was taken to Kent and Canterbury Hospital where the wound was stitched but later released after treatment.

The offender, who was wearing a t-shirt with white and grey stripes and carrying a bag, walked off towards the St George's clocktower after the incident.

A police spokesman said: "This offence took place in the centre of the city and there would have been many witnesses who we would like to come forward. The victim required stitches to the wound but the attack could have had far more serious consequences."

The incident happened at about 5pm on Saturday. Anyone with information is asked to call Canterbury CID on 01227 762055 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.