A man has been flown to hospital following a serious assault at a Kent prison.

The victim suffered chest and stomach injuries in the attack at HMP Swaleside in Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey.

Emergency crews including paramedics and the air ambulance were called to the site, with the helicopter landing outside the prison.

The patient was then flown to King's College Hospital in London for further treatment.

It is not yet known if he was an inmate or a member of prison staff.

The incident happened at around 9.30am on Saturday, but details have only just emerged.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "We can confirm that SECAmb attended, along with the air ambulance, HMP Swaleside, following reports of an assault shortly before 9.30am."

The Ministry of Justice has been approached for more information.

In July, a damning HM Inspectorate of Prisons report revealed high levels of violence at HMP Swaleside, with more than two thirds of prisoners saying they felt unsafe.