A teenager has been charged in connection with an attack which left a boy critically ill in hospital.

James Pettman, 19, of Belgrave Road, Dover, was charged with grievous bodily harm last night.

He is due to be appear before magistrates in Folkestone this morning.

It follows an attack on a 15-year-old boy in Dover on Saturday evening.

The youngster had been waiting for a friend outside a shop in Worthington Street when he was assaulted at around 9.45pm.

He was initially taken to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, but was later transferred to King's College Hospital, London.

Doctors have described his injuries as "life changing" and say he is in a "critical" condition. He is believed to have suffered brain damage.

Four other people – three men aged 18, 28 and 31 and a woman aged 25, all from Dover – arrested on suspicion of assault have been released on bail pending further enquiries.