The search is on to find kind strangers who helped an elderly man after he suffered a nasty fall and cut his head open.

Andy Anderson, from Saddlesbrook Park in Leysdown, was on his way to buy mint sauce when he tripped over an uneven path opposite a pie shop.

The 89-year-old, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia a year ago, had been tasked by his wife, Sandra, to pop to their local shop to get bleach and a couple of condiments.

Sandra, 79, said: "Andy gets bored and is always looking for something to do so I give him a small list of shopping for him to get at The Sun and Mirror Convenience Store just outside of Saddlesbrook Park. It isn't far at all.

"On Saturday, I'd asked him to get bleach, apple sauce and mint sauce, but the shop didn't have any mint sauce.

"So, Andy decided to take it upon himself and walk into Leysdown instead."

Sandra had begun to worry as to why it was taking Andy so long to get home from his outing.

However, her questions were answered when her friend, Ellen, gave her a call.

The nan-of-two said: "Ellen, who belongs to my over 60s club, was on the other side of the road walking with her granddaughter.

"She saw him fall, but wasn't aware of who he was at first but then she recognised him and phoned me."

• Make sense of Kent with The Briefing, our newsletter getting behind the headlines each morning. Sign up here and join our community of loyal readers.

Sandra explained that when she arrived, people in the area had gotten Andy a chair and wrapped kitchen roll around his head to stop the heavy bleeding.

She said: "I was even told it was a bus driver who called for an ambulance.

"I would just like to thank everybody on behalf of Andy for helping him when he fell, and looking after him until the ambulance came and until I was there as well.

"We didn't know where the blood was, but it was over his left eye.

"It was just unbelievable, really, because I didn't know any of them from Adam, but I'm very, very thankful for them. Thank you."

Sandra explained that a crowd had formed near Paul's Pie and Mash Shop by the time an ambulance arrived to take the grandad-of-four to Medway Maritime Hospital.

After being stitched up, he was brought home by an ambulance at 2.30am on Sunday.

Andy, who is also thankful to those who came to his aid, said: "I'm getting better.

"But when I fell, I landed on my left side and onto my left arm.

"My ribs are very sore and it hurts when I laugh so I'm trying not to do too much at the moment."

Sandra and Andy only know the first names of two of the helpers, Martin and Tracey.

The couple are hoping to get in touch with them, along with the bus driver and anyone else who offered help.

Sandra said: "I hope that pavement can be sorted out by the council.

"Many of us travel to Leysdown by car so we don't realise how bad the paths are.

"People with mobility scooters have to deal with the unevenness as well. Someone needs to come out and have a good look at it."

On Wednesday, Andy began suffering from severe headaches.

Sandra called an ambulance but later cancelled the service.

However, the operator insisted that paramedics checked on Andy, sending an ambulance all the way from Essex.

Sandra finished: "I would also like to thank Thurrock Ambulance for coming all that way.

"I can't fault them. Everyone has been so nice and Andy has been extremely lucky."

If you helped Andy and would like to get in touch with him and Sandra, email mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “We proactively monitor the condition of our roads and pavements with regular inspections, when we pick up and plan to have faults fixed.

“People with concerns about the condition of a road or pavement are asked to report them to us direct via www.kent.gov.uk/highways so we can visit and make sure any safety critical works are planned.”