A nightclub boss says he feared for his life when a knife-wielding thug stabbed him in the stomach.

Vivid owner Karl Ahmad, 56, had to undergo major surgery and spend six days in hospital following the attack outside the nightspot in Herne Bay High Street.

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

Mr Ahmad said: “When I was going to hospital, they said it was a very serious assault and I thought I could die.

“I was in hospital for just under a week but I am a lot better now than I was in the first week.

“It was a complete shock – we have never had an incident like this before, inside or outside the club.”

The attack happened between 2.52am and 2.58am on Sunday, July 9, after the suspect had been ejected by bouncers following a row with another reveller inside the club.

Mr Ahmad, who is recovering at his home in Essex, was playing peacemaker when he was stabbed. He said: “We do not have a lot of trouble at the club at all.

“I am very aware of the neighbours and I don’t want people fighting inside or outside the club.

“I have been doing this for 40 years and I have never been attacked like that before. There are no long-term effects I know of, but the doctors have been checking the wound and the dressing.”

Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to, and would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the photos or has information about the attack.

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