A man was slashed across the face and beaten with a baseball bat after masked raiders burst into his home.

The victim and his partner were watching TV in bed when the three balaclava-clad burglars smashed through a patio door and into their room in the remote property in Throwley Forstal, near Faversham.

The couple attempted to fight the raiders off after demands for money were made, but the man was attacked with a bladed weapon, suffering slash injuries to his face, shoulder and back.

He was also hit several times across the back and shoulder with a baseball bat.

The burglars fled empty-handed, sparking a huge, and ultimately unsuccessful, search which involved a police helicopter.

Anyone with information about the raid at 10.50pm on Wednesday, August 10, should call the appeal line on 01795 419119, quoting reference XY/31154/16, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.