Police hunting a thug who stabbed a nightclub boss in the stomach have released CCTV images of the suspect.

Karl Ahmad, 56, had to undergo major surgery after suffering serious knife injuries in the attack outside Vivid in Herne Bay’s High Street earlier this month.

The dad-of-four, who has owned the club for seven years, was stabbed by a man who had reportedly been thrown out by doormen at about 2.45am.

Bleeding from his stomach, Mr Ahmad - who had been playing peacemaker - was taken upstairs to a storeroom and an ambulance was called.

He was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital, where he has since been released.

Detectives would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the photos, or if they were in the area at the time of the assault.

It happened between 2.52am and 2.58am on Sunday, July 9.

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference number ZY/30299/17.