A schoolboy was pulled off his bike and slapped round the face in a road rage attack.

The 14-year-old, from Sutton Valence, was cycling along Hawkenbury Road between Sutton Valence and Staplehurst at about 5.10pm on Tuesday, June 23, when the incident took place.

A car travelling behind the boy started overtaking him and he made a gesture to the driver to slow down because there was another car coming in the opposite direction.

The driver of the first vehicle overtook the cyclist and then pulled up in front of him. He then got out of his car, grabbed the boy’s shirt and pulled him off his bike before slapping him around the face.

The teenager was not injured but was shaken by the incident.

PC Heather Sears said: "This was an unprovoked attack on a 14-year-old boy and we are appealing for anyone who may have seen it to come forward.

"There were other cars in the area at the time, including four men in a soft-top four-wheeled drive vehicle who stopped and helped the boy after he was assaulted. We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time."

The attacker was white, in his 40s, of heavy build with dark hair and blue eyes. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a blue tee-shirt with white writing on. The car he was driving was yellow.

If you can help phone Sittingbourne Police Station on 01795 419182 or Kent Crime Stoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.