An elderly farmer says he was left “shocked and shaking” after being punched following a confrontation with a dog walker while checking on his sheep.

Geoffrey Homewood, who has owned and worked Court Lodge Farm near Kingsnorth, Ashford, for 52 years, was hit in the face and knocked to the ground.

He was going to visit his late wife and parents’ grave and looked in on his flocks on the way last Saturday afternoon (February 1).

The 77-year-old says he came across a woman with a “host of dogs” on a footpath and asked her to put them on leads as his livestock were in the field next door.

Mr Homewood told KentOnline: “She carried on walking towards me and started the most foul language.

“The dogs were everywhere - I counted about 10. I asked her again and she kept up her abuse.

“She then walked towards the footpath with some dogs following.

“I went back to where my car was parked close to the footpath - two dogs had got onto the lane and were trying to get back to her.”

The farmer says a man then approached and picked up one of the animals, before accusing Mr Homewood of harassing the woman.

“He called me all the words under the sun he then kept walking towards me,” Mr Homewood recalled.

“He then punched me in the eye and I fell to the ground.

“He said: ‘Get up you b*****d and I'll f****** give you some more’.’

“I told him I couldn’t get up and he walked off.”

Mr Homewood - who lost his wife last year - returned to his car and a member of the public who reportedly witnessed the attack called police.

Officers arrived a short while later and spoke to a woman and Mr Homewood, but the male suspect had already fled the scene.

The farmer added: “I came home and my neighbours made me tea. I was still in shock and shaking.”

Mr Homewood’s part-time carer - who does not wish to be named - says she cried when she heard of his ordeal.

She said: “He’s an absolute diamond and very popular.

“He’s a lovely, generous, kind man.

“When he told me, I cried because I just felt absolutely devastated to think someone had hurt him.

“When he told me he couldn't get up, that just broke my heart even more.”

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the attack to come forward.

A spokesman for the force said: “We were called shortly after 4pm on Saturday, February 1, following a report that a man had been assaulted by another man near Pound Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford.

“Officers attended the scene and spoke to the victim and a woman who was also present.”

Anyone with information should call 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/18218/25.