A man was attacked with a pickaxe handle after asking a group of children to keep the noise down.

It is understood the victim, aged in his 30s, was set upon by one of the youngster's dads in Sycamore Road, Strood, after making the request.

The man, who lives in the road, suffered cuts and bruises and had to be taken to hospital.

Police and paramedics were called to the area at about 6.10pm on Saturday but as yet, no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

One man who lives in the street and did not want to be named said: "The man (the victim) is a really nice guy, a pillar of the community.

"Apparently he asked some children to keep the noise down and then one of the chidren's parents attacked him.

"There was a lot of blood and he was taken to hospital.

"Our street is normally very quiet and we don’t have trouble like this."

A spokesman for police said: "Kent Police is investigating an incident in which a man is reported to have been assaulted by a man with a pickaxe handle in Sycamore Road, at about 6.10pm on Saturday, July 16.

“Officers attended and enquiries to trace the suspect are ongoing.

“The victim, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises but has since been discharged.”