A 30-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after a serious assault outside a public house.

Andrew Richardson was attacked by a group of five men in Cossack Street, Rochester, at about 6.30pm on Saturday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which they are describing as a “very serious assault”.

Mr Richardson, of Warren Wood Road, Rochester, is being treated at Medway Maritime Hospital at Gillingham.

Kamber Satil, manager of the Rochester Best Kebab shop, near to where the man was attacked, saw the fight.

He said: “We were very busy because it was a Saturday night and I heard lots of shouting.

“When I looked out of the window, I saw five men beating up a man on the floor. Everybody was screaming and shouting. It took about 20 minutes for the ambulance to get here and the man lay on the floor for that time.

“The five men ran off after he stopped moving. We do get quite a lot of fights around here but never anything this bad.

“There are CCTV cameras but I don’t know if they are working.”

Landlord of the Carpenters Arms Mick Shave said: “The area in front of my pub was cordoned off for about four hours. I have been told that Andrew was drinking in here but I don’t remember.

“I remember hearing all the shouting outside and then the ambulances and police arrived.”

Det Sgt Kerry Rothwell said: “A 30-year-old man lies seriously ill in hospital having been physically attacked by a group of men in Cossack Street, Rochester, on Saturday, October 8, between 6.20 and 6.40pm, as he left the Carpenters Arms pub.

“We are using CCTV retrieval as part of our investigations. Enquiries are on-going with regards to suspects’ identities.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw this incident or anyone with knowledge of the offenders to contact Rochester Police station on 01634 884035 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555111.”