A 28-year-old Kent man attacked near his home is hoping his injuries will heal - in time for his wedding in the Dominican Republic next month.

Nathan Parks, a lorry driver from Strood, should be preparing for his wedding but instead he is nursing head injuries and is off work because he cannot drive.

Doctors at Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital think that Mr Parks was attacked with a sharp instrument, possibly a piece of wood with a nail in it or a clawed object.

He received deep cuts to his face, head and ear, as well a severe bruising and swelling to his eye. He needed stitches on his face and had the cut on his ear glued together. Doctors fear he may have permanent scarring to his face.

Mr Parks was walking home from a friend’s house in the early hours of when the attack happened in Darnley Road, Strood. He was with friends but was lagging behind, when he was approached by a group of teenagers.

He said: “I passed a group of teenagers outside the shops on the corner of Darnley Road and Cedar Road. They said something to me so I asked them what they said but they didn’t reply. They came up behind me and hit me over the head and the next thing I remember is waking up on the pavement with all my friends around me with the police and ambulance crews.”

Police have made door-to-door enquiries and their investigations are continuing.