Thugs kicked a man unconscious after beating him to the ground in a senseless early morning attack.

The 42-year-old victim was driving down Osborne Road in Broadstairs from the Broadway when a group of young men and a woman walked out of an alleyway in front of his car.

The driver tried to get past but as he did so, one of the youths kicked his car.

The man got out to speak to the group but was surrounded and struck on the head from behind.

He fell to the ground and was kicked until he passed out.

Kent Police said the group ran off down the alleyway towards Gladstone Road.

But a witness said one of the youths returned and kicked their victim in the face as he lay helpless on the pavement.

Amazingly, the man managed to drive home after the brutal attack, which began at around 1am on Saturday.

He needed hospital treatment for a fractured eye socket, a suspected fracture to the upper jaw, a deep cut to his eyebrow and a severe nose bleed.

Det Con Paul Francklin, who is leading the investigation, said: "It seems the girl who was with these four youths wasn't impressed with their actions.

"Before he was attacked she advised the victim to get back in his car for his own safety and during the beating a neighbour heard her shouting, 'No, no, no! That's enough, that's enough!'

"I would very much like to hear from this young woman and anyone else who may have seen what happened or who may have any knowledge of it."

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 01843 222 105 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.