A man assaulted during a late-night attack in Sittingbourne High Street woke up in hospital with no memory of what happened to him.

Brian Rumley was knocked unconscious and suffered broken ribs and a bleeding ear.

He had just left Life nightclub with his friend Paul Mercer when the pair were assaulted.

An ambulance was called and paramedics treated Mr Rumley at the scene before he was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham.

Mr Mercer, 38, who escaped with only bumps and bruises, said: “Two youths asked my friend for a lighter.

“They started an argument with us and then all I remember is getting jumped on.

“I looked around and my friend was on the floor unconscious. I don’t know why it happened.

“Brian doesn’t remember a thing. He just remembers waking up in hospital.”

Mr Rumley, 40, who is currently out of work, was eventually discharged at about 11.30am the same day.

He and his friend, a lorry driver, both live in the town.

“We go out and don’t normally have any trouble,” said Mr Mercer.

“Someone in town must know something.

“There were lots of people around.”

The assault happened at at about 2.35am on Sunday, February 27.

The attackers were described as skinny, aged no more than about 21, and both wore white T-shirts and jeans. One had short brown hair, while the other was blond.

They are believed to have walked up from the bottom end of the High Street and ran off towards West Street after the attack.

It is understood CCTV footage from the High Street was being checked to see if the attackers had been caught on camera.

Police confirmed they were investigating and anyone who can help with their inquiries should call 101, quoting crime reference XY/7617/16.