Two teenage boys have been taken to hospital after what witnesses described as a stabbing near a popular family event.

A large number of police officers descended on Tankerton at about 6pm and sealed off two areas in the seaside town close to where thousands of people were attending Whitstable Regatta.

Tankerton Road was closed between St Anne's Road, at Tankerton Circus roundabout, and Castle Road while paramedics treated the casualties and police examined the scene.

A police spokeswoman said: "Kent Police was called at 5.48pm on Saturday 9 September 2017 to a report of a serious assault in Tankerton Road, Whitstable.

"Two boys in their teens were injured in the incident and have both been taken to hospital. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. A 16-year-old boy from the Whitstable area has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is in police custody."

Police say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with this incident.

Witnesses said there had been a stabbing after an altercation between groups of youths, although this has not been confirmed.

One person reported seeing a possible victim sitting up against a wall outside apartments being treated by paramedics. The scene is close to the Whitstable Regatta which has seen thousands of people descend on the area today.

The confrontation is understood to have happened on the pavement outside flats on Tankerton Road.

There were two police cordons in the area - one outside the flats and another at the nearby public gardens.

Two ambulances were at the scene for some time after the incident with a team of uniformed police officers remaining there afterwards as investigations continued.

The Regatta, which was rescheduled this year after the Lions Club pulled out, has in the past been affected by some alcohol-related disorder.

Police unsuccessfully objected to a alcohol licence for the event fearing it could fuel crime. It is not known if this incident is alcohol-related and the event was unaffected with the evening programme continuing including fireworks and a funfair.

Anyone with any information is asked to phone Kent Police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number 09-1095.