REPORTS of a samurai sword attack in a busy restaurant forced police to seal off part of Gravesend town centre.

Two men were left with bloody gashes after being attacked in a popular fish restaurant, sending onlookers running for safety.

Queen Street was cordoned off as police descended on the scene. The front step of the Reliance Fish Shop was left covered in blood following the attack at 4.30pm on Tuesday.

Witnesses said the victims, thought to be a Queen Street shop owner and his son-in-law, were treated for head and neck wounds before being taken to hospital.

North Kent Police said despite the initial calls their investigations had ruled out the use of a sword. However, it was not known how the injuries were caused and the use of a weapon has not been ruled out.

Graham East from the Dolphin Angling Shop said: "I heard some shouting and then I saw men running down the street. The shopkeeper had a broom in his hand and blood running down his face."

Another witness, Dave Berry, added: "There was a quite a lot of blood."

Another man, who claimed to have seen one of the men with a gash to his neck, said: "The first officers to arrive were on foot and they came up the street from the market."

Police arrived at the scene before 5pm and sealed off the entrance to the fish shop.

Owner Jack Kamenou, who said the shop would have normally been busy at that time, was unable to open again for an hour.

Police have asked to view CCTV footage from the Perfect Pizza restaurant opposite the fish bar. The attackers fled towards the river.