A teenager is in hospital with serious injuries - and another had to undergo surgery - after two unrelated air rifle shootings.

Police were called at 5.30pm yesterday to reports a 17-year-old boy had been shot in woodland near Church Road, Gravesend.

The boy was taken to a London hospital by road and was accompanied by Air Ambulance paramedics.

An 18-year-old from Gravesend was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in police custody.

Meanwhile a young woman has undergone surgery after being shot in the face with an air rifle in an unrelated incident.

Police are investigating how the 19-year-old was struck on the nose with the pellet.

She was with her boyfriend at the skate park in Jackson Field, at the junction of New Road, Rochester, between 8pm and 8.15pm on Saturday.

It was reported she heard a "whooshing" sound before the violent blow to the face with the air pellet.

She was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital by ambulance and had to have an operation to remove the pellet from her nose.

Enquiries are on-going and police are in the process of examining CCTV.

Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to contact Kent Police on 101 quoting reference XY/011280/14.

Alternatively contact Kent CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.