A man is due to appear in court on Monday charged with raping a woman.

Detectives have just revealed the victim, in her 20s, was attacked in Gillingham in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

Nathan Gifford, 43, of Colehall Close, Maidstone, has been charged with rape.

He is due to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

Kent Police is appealing for witnesses who saw a distressed woman in the Canterbury Street area near Bliss nightclub or in the College Road area of the town between 2am and 5am.

They would also like to hear from anyone who saw a black four-door Chevrolet saloon car, with people inside, parked in the area during the same time.

Phone police on 01634 884010 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.