Children playing in a hotel garden were left terrified after a glass bottle narrowly missed smashing into them.

Several families including horrified owner, Paul McMullan, heard a loud smash which sounded like a "bomb going off" as the beer bottle smashed into tiles at the First and Last.

It is believed to have been thrown from the cliffs impacted with roof slates and guttering before flying towards a children's swing.

The impact was so severe the bottom was left embedded in the remains of a roof slate.

Mr McMullan says the 30-bed hotel, located on East Cliff, was full and the outcome could have been worse.

"If it had landed on the head of one of the kids, just a couple of feet away, that child would now be dead – without doubt killed instantly," he said.

"If a bottle from that height could do that much damage to the roof and gutter it must have been travelling at speed.

"We could, but for the grace of God, be looking at murder or manslaughter charges.

"The children were terrified and at least one cut his feet running away from the impact."

The father-of-six was with his two youngest children, Sebastian, four, and three-year-old, Florence when it happened.

He says families are now too terrified to go onto the hotel terrace.

The bottle flew down from the direction of the Admiralty Look-Out last Thursday and Mr McMullan alerted Dover Castle staff who sent security to investigate.

Rosalind Daniels, general manager, confirmed: "It must have been very distressing for the children and it is also distressing to think we have a visitor to The Castle who would do such a thing."

Police are investigating and have asked anyone with information to call 01843 222289, quoting reference number ZY/35850/17.