Two suspects arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a 16-year-old have been bailed pending further inquiries.

It comes after a teenager was stabbed nine times during a vicious attack in the centre of Chatham.

Perry Mulholland, pictured here, is in a stable condition in hospital, but his mum says doctors are worried about a bleed in his chest.

Perry, who is just 16, was attacked in the High Street on Friday night and detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate are investigating the incident as attempted murder.

The youngster suffered nine stab wounds including in the back with a machete and suffered a severed and punctured lung.

The news comes as detectives make two more arrests in connection with the incident.

Detectives investigating the attack revealed Perry hit by two cars and then chased along the road and assaulted in the town, but failed to disclose they were treating the incident as an attempted murder inquiry and that the teenager had suffered stab wounds.

His mother, Linda Mulholland spoke exclusively to KentOnline’s sister paper the Medway Messenger, and said she is appealing for anyone who saw what happened to contact the police.

Mrs Mulholland revealed Perry was initially taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, after the incident which happened near the High Street, close to the junction of Upbury Way and the Go Outdoors store between 7.15pm and 8.15pm.

Police say they arrested two teenagers, an 18 and 19-year-old, soon after the incident and have now arrested two more.

It is understood the attackers were known to Perry, who has now been moved to a London hospital, but is said to be in a stable condition.

Mrs Mulholland, said: “He was stabbed nine times including having a machete in his back.

“He has a severed and punctured lung and is not out of the woods yet, but is stable.

“Perry has been moved to a London hospital and doctors are worried about a bleed on his chest.

“The doctors are going to do X-rays today to decide if he needs surgery, he is very poorly.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw anything or knows anything to come forward and contact the police.

“Perry is a popular boy, he likes his music, going out with his friends, he is a happy-go-lucky chap.”

The first two teenagers arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and have now been bailed pending further inquiries until, Thursday, February 2.

The two other men, one 19 the other 21 and both from Chatham, have also now been bailed pending further inquiries until the same date.

The pair had also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

A police spokesman confirmed the victim had suffered a number of stab wounds, but said as yet the weapon used during the attack had not been identified.

If you have any information, call the witness appeal line on 01634 792209, quoting reference XY/49575/16, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.