Police are hunting a man who headbutted a barman twice and hit him with a chair after he was refused a drink.

The young pub worker was left in hospital after the violent assault at Herne Bay’s Saxon Shore Wetherspoon on Saturday evening.

The attacker – who had previously been barred from the seafront pub – turned on the barman after he was asked to leave at 5.30pm.

Police say he leaned over the bar and turned on beer taps before grabbing the barman by the shirt and punching him in the face.

He then headbutted him twice and swung a chair at him, striking him on the arm.

Staff called 999 and the barman, who is in his 20s, was taken to hospital and treated for cuts and bruises.

Officers searched the area but were unable to find the attacker.

"He leant over the bar and turned on several beer taps before grabbing a member of the bar staff by the shirt, punching him in the face and head-butting him twice..." - Insp Gordon Etheridge

Inspector Gordon Etheridge said: “A man who had previously been barred from the pub walked in at about 5.30pm.

“When bar staff refused to serve him and asked him to leave he became aggressive and abusive towards them.

“He leant over the bar and turned on several beer taps before grabbing a member of the bar staff by the shirt, punching him in the face and head-butting him twice.

“He then picked up a chair and swung it at the victim, hitting him in the arm.

“He also caused £500 damage to an advertising board outside the pub.”

Officers are continuing their search for the attacker today.

Anyone with information about the assault can call police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference ZY/36167/15.