A stolen van belonging to the victim of a shooting has been found abandoned in a Kent village.

The vehicle was dumped in Charing after the 43-year-old owner was shot in the face with an air rifle when he confronted thieves.

The male victim was told people were trying to break into his Toyota Hilux van, which has Environment Agency written on the side, in Rye, East Sussex, on Saturday night.

He went out to investigate and was confronted by men, who drove at him with their dark coloured car at just before midnight.

The victim jumped out of the way and was shot with an air rifle. The thieves then towed away his van, which was found an hour later in Charing.

The man was taken to the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford, where his condition is said to be stable.

DI Hannah Willard, from Sussex Police, said: “This was a violent attack and we are doing all we can to trace these men. The van was found just over an hour later in Charing, Kent, and it is being forensically examined.

"The victim is being treated for pellet wounds to his face and we will be talking to him to get as much information as possible. Extensive enquiries are being made and I would urge anyone with information to contact detectives.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.