A popular restaurant worker stabbed at a railway station on his way home is now out of intensive care.

Colleagues of “kind, gentle soul” Sharif Hossain have shared the good news following the shocking incident in Whitstable the week before Christmas.

Mr Hossain was seriously injured in Old Bridge Road on December 17, and remains in hospital in London.

But staff at the Gandhi Indian restaurant in Herne Bay, where he works, say he has now been moved out of the intensive care unit.

It comes as a fundraising appeal to support Mr Hossain’s family through the ordeal has reached almost £9,000.

A message has been shared online by Ala, “on behalf of Sharif and his family and friends at Ghandi”.

It says: “We are beyond grateful and taken back by the amount of support and kind words Sharif has received over the past few days.

“We knew Sharif was loved by local people but the vast amount of you who have been so generous is astonishing.

“We never expected it to reach as many people as it did and to everyone that has donated, A MASSIVE THANK YOU. We appreciate everyone’s generosity and kindness at this difficult time.

“Sharif is now out of intensive care but remains in hospital in London receiving specialist support. We are all hoping he can return home soon.”

An earlier message shared with the GoFundMe appeal said Mr Hossain’s wife had been staying with him at the hospital and their children were being looked after by friends.

Mr Hossain, who is in his 50s, once owned and ran the Invicta Tandoori restaurant in Whitstable.

Police were called to an alleyway in the town following reports of a serious assault shortly before 12.30am December 17.

Lewis Day, 25, from Ramsgate, was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a knife in public.

He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates' Court on December 18 and was remanded in custody to appear before Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, January 15.

A 32-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman were also arrested in connection with the incident and bailed pending further inquiries.

A spokesman for the force said: “Anyone with information or dashcam footage that could assist officers with the investigation is urged to contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/221589/23.”