A fisherman left badly bruised after he was attacked at a lake on the outskirts of Canterbury says he now too scared to leave his home.

Luke Earl was fishing at a complex off Thruxted Lane in Chartham when he was reportedly assaulted by another man.

The sudden attack left him with facial bruising and, having experienced problems with mental health for many years, with extreme anxiety.

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"I was laying in my bivvy at about half two in the afternoon," he said.

"Suddenly I heard someone racing through the gates really fast. I just thought 'who is this driving so stupidly?'.

"Then he pulled up next to me and got out, looked at me, and just laid into me.

"He punched me straight in the face, and caught me around the head. I can't remember how many times he hit me.

"I managed to put my arms up around my head to stop quite a few.

"I couldn't get up, couldn't defend myself.

"I'm a nervous wreck anyway with my mental health."

Mr Earl, who has lived in Whitstable all his life, explained the positive effect fishing usually has on his anxiety.

"I go there to get away from it all," he said.

"When I'm fishing I don't feel my nerves. I'm relaxed, and all my problems go away.

"It was my sanctuary, and now he's ruined that."

The 40-year-old says he knows his attacker and believes the assault was sparked by a recent dispute.

"It's petrified me, really. It's left me in shock," he said.

"I've not really been out since."

Police have confirmed they are investigating.

Spokesman Scarlet Drayson said: "Between 2.15pm and 2.30pm on March 9 at a fishing complex in Thruxted Lane, a man in his 40s reported he was sitting in his tent when he was approached by another man and assaulted.

"The victim sustained bruising to his face. Enquiries are ongoing."

Anyone with information should call police on 01843 222289, quoting ZY/11917/18.