A FISHERMAN camping beside a lake with several friends has been shot in the face by a thug with an air rifle.

The 27-year-old victim was taken to Maidstone Hospital with serious injuries to his teeth, mouth and lips. He was among a group of male friends aged between 15 and 27 on a fishing trip to Leybourne Lakes near Larkfield.

On Sunday night they were approached by three teenagers demanding a fight. When the campers declined, four of the five friends were attacked with a baseball bat, but the fifth, the 27-year-old, was shot.

Following the incident, the three thugs made off in the direction of the A228. The first was white, in his mid teens, with a black tracksuit. The second was white, about 25, large, wearing a dark-coloured tracksuit.

The youth who fired the air rifle was in his mid teens, around 5ft 10ins, and was wearing a grey or white tracksuit and baseball cap.

Police spokeswoman, Gianna Pollero, said: "This was a really unpleasant attack on five innocent people and we are extremely anxious to apprehend these offenders as soon as possible. It looks as if these people deliberately set out to have a fight with someone. There was no robbery and it was completely unprovoked."

Anyone with information is asked to telephone Maidstone Police Station on 01622 608189 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.