A man has appeared in court charged with attacking two teenage girls with a claw hammer.

Police were called to Harbour Way and Dover Road in Folkestone in the early hours of Tuesday after the victims, in their late teens, were found with head injuries.

The first victim, who was assaulted in Harbour Way just after 2am, was taken to a local hospital with facial injuries.

The other, who was found in nearby Dover Road at 4.40am following a disturbance, is in a London hospital with serious head injuries.

Anthony Bird, of Harbour Way, Folkestone, appeared at Medway Magistrate's Court yesterday charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and criminal damage to a mobile phone.

He remains in custody and is due to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on March 14 for a pre-sentence hearing.