A man has been stabbed in the centre of Maidstone.

The attack happened outside the KFC restaurant in Week Street yesterday at around 8.45pm.

The 18-year-old victim, who is from Maidstone, was flown to King's College Hospital in London where he is conscious and recovering.

This morning, police officers were still at the scene and had cordoned off the surrounding area.

Four police officers were guarding the area while six forensics officers were seen searching for evidence.

A number of businesses were initially caught within the police cordon, but the cordon was lifted at about 8.45am, before most of them were due to open.

Officers were seen making a search of rubbish bins in nearby Station Road and also launched a drone to fly above at about 8am.

A close friend of the victim, who doesn't want to be named, had been with him earlier in the evening.

He said: "We split up. I went to see some mates in Brenchley Gardens and he went to KFC to meet some of his other friends.

"As soon as I heard about the stabbing I rushed over there."

He said: "It seems he had just been standing outside KFC with two mates when someone came up to him and pulled out a knife."

The victim was stabbed in the neck, leg and body, before his attacker ran off, his friend said.

He was taken by land ambulance to Maidstone Hospital and then airlifted to London.

The friend also travelled to the hospital fearful for the victim's life.

He said: "We sat around there 'til about 2am, when the doctors told us he was now stable and we should go home."

One man watching the police investigation this morning observed: “What is happening to Maidstone? It used to be such a quiet place, but it’s constant trouble now.”

Another said: “This side of town is frightening now, there seems to be something going wrong every weekend. It’s the part of town you want to avoid now.”

Police are urging witnesses to come forward.

A statement said: "Witnesses are being urged to come forward following a serious assault in Maidstone.

"Between 8.45pm and 8.55pm on Saturday, an 18-year-old man was assaulted in Week Street, near the junction with Station Road.

"Kent Police officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and the man was taken to a London hospital with injuries consistent with stab wounds."

The man’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Anyone with information should call police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 46/76506/22.

You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555111 or using the anonymous online form.