TWO men arrested in connection with a stabbing incident in a Kent town at the weekend have been released on bail.

The 37-year-old male victim is in a stable condition in hospital after the attack near the Parkwood shops at Wallis Avenue, Maidstone, just before 2.30am on Saturday.

Two suspects were arrested and questioned by police on Saturday but both have been freed on bail pending further enquiries.

About 20 police officers and police community support officers arrived at 4am on Saturday with an incident unit, vans and cars to cordon off the car park and surrounding roads. The cordon was lifted just after 11am.

Specialist search officers and a handler with his dog were brought in to comb the area for clues, while uniformed officers and detectives made house-to-house enquiries.

Rob Saunders, deputy manager at the convenience store in the parade of shops, said: "I am not surprised that this has happened. There was a stabbing near here several months ago."

Father-of-six Jimmy Brooker, 39, of Mote Road, Maidstone, died from stab wounds after being found injured at a block of flats in Wallis Avenue last September.

Jamie Potter, 34, of Felderland Close, Maidstone, has been charged with his murder.

* Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01622 604260 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.