The dad of a teenager who was bottled in the face is warning others to be careful on nights out.

The man's son, who had just turned 18, was out with out with friends and his girlfriend in Gravesend when trouble broke out in front of them.

His attacker had started on a group of people outside McDonalds in New Road, during the early hours of Sunday morning.

WARNING: Graphic images

However, when the teenager tried to stop the situation, he was brutally attacked with a bottle by the man who had been causing trouble.

The dad, who lives in Dartford but didn't want to be named, said: "Apparently his attacker just picked up the bottle, smashed it and rammed it in his face.

"The bottle went into his cheek just under his eye, he is very lucky he was not killed.

"The attacker also tried to slash him across the stomach and it did cut him, but the injury to his face is the worst one.

"The guy then ran off screaming apparently."

The incident happened between 2.45am and 3am and police say they are investigating and viewing CCTV from the area to see if the attack was caught on cameras.

No one has been arrested in relation to the incident and officers say inquiries are ongoing.

The injured teenager was taken to Darent Valley Hospital where he had his wounds stitched up.

He also lost a lot of blood and his dad has taken the decision to publish photos of his son's wounds and his blooded clothing to highlight the town centre violence.

He said: "When I got the call it was every parents worst nightmare.

"It was his girlfriend calling me and she just said he'd been stabbed in the face and then the line went dead.

"My wife and I were in bed asleep when the call came in.

"We were horrified, we managed to call back and I spoke to security doorman who was there at the scene and he said it wasn't looking good and there was a lot of blood.

"My wife and I where so worried, we just didn't know how injured he was."

The couple immediately went to the hospital to be with their son who thankfully, was later discharged.

The dad added: "I don't want other parents to go through what we have and would like to see the town safer at night time.

"I've heard there is some sort of scanning ID system in other places when someone enters a venue such as a club.

"I've heard there is such a scheme in Bexleyheath.

"At least then its easy tell who has been at a venue and what their name is, seems a much safer system to have in place.

"I'd like to see Gravesend be a safer place for our teenagers to enjoy a night out and not get stabbed in the face like my son has been."

Anyone who saw the incident or has any information should call Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting reference XY/57375/18.