A restaurant manager has spoken of his shock after two brawls were started by customers.

Jillu Miah dialled 999 and asked for an ambulance after a man was found unconscious in the car park of the curry house.

But little did he know that while he was dealing with the man and his family outside, a fight had broken out between a group of revellers inside the Shukriya Indian restaurant.

The night's events led to 17 police officers and 11 paramedics being called to the curry house on the A249 at Stockbury at 2.40am on January 1.

Mr Miah said: "I was inside talking to people then I heard shouting so I went outside and saw someone knocked out on the floor. I was trying to wake him and after a few minutes he did wake. When the police came I left the man with them.

"When I came in everyone was covered in blood. There was a lady standing with blood coming from the side of her face and two men had head injuries - my colleagues were giving them first aid.

"There was no damage to the inside of the restaurant apart from a couple of broken glasses.

"There were other people injured inside as well but I don't know how they got involved.

"I was shocked by what happened. We've only been here since June."

Six people were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. To reduce tensions, three went to Medway Maritime Hospital, in Gillingham. The others went to William Harvey Hospital, in Ashford.

The people involved were men and women aged between 30 and 50 and all from the Maidstone, Sittingbourne and Stockbury areas.

No one has been arrested. Police are now appealing for witnesses to help them understand what happened on the night.

DI Michelle Whitehead said: "This incident took place on what was already a busy New Year's Eve for the emergency services.

"We have already spoken to a number of people and I would appeal to anyone who has any information to contact us so we can further our investigation."

Anyone with any information is asked to phone DS Martin Davies on 01622 604268 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.