A father and his son were beaten by a gang of men in an alleyway in Sheerness in the early hours of this morning.

Police sealed off the scene, off the High Street, following the serious assault just before 1am.

One man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries while the other in his 50s received medical attention for more minor wounds. It is not known how the younger man sustained his injuries, but unconfirmed reports suggest they may have been from a broken bottle.

He suffered a fractured eye socket and nose.

Four men are believed to have set upon the pair in Wheatsheaf Alley beside the Co-op store and the newsagent SS News and Wine.

Police taped off both ends of the alley where it meets the High Street and Trinity Road car park. The newsagents was forced to remain closed this morning.

Manager Sri Raj, who lives above the shop, said he and his wife were woken by the noise of fighting around 12.30am.

He said: "There was a terrible noise of fighting and screaming from men and women. When I looked out the window the ambulance was already there. One man was on the ground and another was standing up but had blood coming from his head."

Erdi Ermis who works in his father's Island Fish Bar next to the newsagents said: "We couldn't open for an hour this morning and have had half the space for our tables on the pavement cordoned off."

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or believes they have information about what happened, should call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting 28-0059.

Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.