A couple were left bloodied, bruised and traumatised after reportedly being attacked in a country park as they walked their dog.

Nigel Blacklocks, 67, says he was punched unconscious and his wife Angela, 63, assaulted when she tried to protect him.

Both needed hospital treatment for their injuries.

The incident, which is now being investigated by police, happened in Curtis Wood Park, Herne, following an altercation with another dog walker, who has himself made a counter-claim of assault.

Mr Blacklocks, a retired tiler who lives in Beltinge, says they were walking their rescue dog Suki on a lead when they saw the man they say caused their injuries.

"One of his dogs kept pestering Suki and trying to mount her but she was not interested," said Mr Blacklocks.

"I called over to him that he really ought to call his dog away and keep it under control. He whistled but the dog paid no attention.

"It kept annoying Suki so I shouted over to him again, saying 'please put your dog on a lead' - I certainly wasn't abusive."

Mr Blacklocks said he was filming the incident on his mobile phone in case anything happened when, he claims, the situation turned ugly.

"The man stormed over and I thought we'd be in a shouting match but 'bam' - out of nowhere he punched me full in the face. I just didn't see it coming and went down and briefly passed out.

"I was trying to get up and he punched me down again, at which stage my wife put her arm across to stop him.

"But he punched her in the face too, breaking her glasses and giving her a black eye."

Mr Blacklocks insists the assaults were completely unprovoked.

"He was at least 6ft. I'm a pensioner and 5ft 6ins and my wife is 4ft 11ins, so we stood no chance," he said.

"Unfortunately there was no one around to witness it or try to help."

The couple, who are grandparents and have been married almost 44 years, called 999 after the man left the scene. They took themselves to Herne Bay's Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital for treatment for their injuries.

"We were both pretty shaken up," said Mr Blacklocks.

"Our family were horrified, and it especially upset our grandchildren, who were asking how someone could do that to their nanny."

Mrs Blacklocks says his wife, who has worked as a nursing assistant at the Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital for more than 30 years, is now anxious about going out with their dog in the woods.

"It's left us both traumatised and was completely unnecessary," he said.

The reported attack happened on Wednesday, December 15, at about 11am.

The couple are due to give formal statements at Herne Bay police station on Friday.

Police have confirmed two separate reports of assault were made in connection with the same incident, from opposing parties, with enquiries ongoing.

Witnesses should call police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/257962/21.

They can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.