A man has been airlifted to a London hospital and is in a critical condition following an attack.

Part of a car park outside The Gravesend Boat, in Leander Drive, in the Riverview area of Gravesend, was cordoned off by police this morning.

Officers were called at around 11.35pm last night after a man in his 40s suffered a serious head injury.

Inquiries are ongoing to establish how it happened.

A worker in the parade of surrounding shops, who did not wish to be named, said: "The rumour mill is going – as it always does – but it is right outside the pub, near the steps.

"Forensics are there but there are not as many police cars as there was. There was a bloke in a white hazmat suit but there is not a tent up or anything like that."

Only a small section of the car park has been taped off.

Monika, who works at JK's Café in Leander Drive, said: "I have heard people say a man was lying on the floor by the car park and he was taken to hospital.

"I do not know what actually happened. I saw the police cars but did not talk with officers."