Police have released a description of the boy being hunted after a teenager was stabbed in broad daylight.

The appeal comes as the 14-year-old victim recovers in hospital from knife wounds to his leg.

The boy, a pupil at Northfleet Technology College, was walking home from school with a group of four friends shortly after 3pm yesterday. He was approached by a teenager in Park Avenue, Northfleet.

After a brief exchange, the attacker wielded a knife and stabbed the victim in the leg once.

Detective Inspector Ian Dampier, from North Kent police station, said the teenager walked off towards Dale Road as the victim's friends tended to him.

He said: "There would have been lots of people around making their way home after school and I would ask anyone who thinks they may have information about what happened, to get in touch.

"This was a serious and shocking incident for the victim, who was taken to hospital where he is today still being treated."

The knifeman is described as black, aged around 16 and slim with very short hair and was wearing a grey hooded top and jeans.

Meanwhile, the school's head teacher today praised pupils who responded to the stabbing.

Head teacher Jane Partridge said: "I am extremely proud of the other students, whose response helped prevent what could have been a more serious incident without thought for their own safety.

"The student was stabbed in the leg and is being treated in hospital.

"We are working with the police to make sure this person is apprehended as quickly as possible.

"We are also talking to our students in assemblies and making sure that other local schools are aware."

One woman living at Park Avenue who witnessed the incident said there had been a fight among students at Northfleet Technology College, which is in neighbouring Colyer Road.

She added: "It happened around 3.30pm and everyone was talking about it.

"Police forensic teams were here for more than an hour and the road was cordoned off."

If you can help, contact Detective Inspector Dampier on 01474 366091 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

More updates to follow.