A MIDDLE-AGED man is recovering in hospital after a gang of thugs beat him with a cricket bat in his home.

The six men barged their way through the front door of the 48-year-old man's house in City Way in Rochester, at about 10.50pm on Monday.

The Indian/Asian men, who are believed to be from the Gravesend area, also attacked the man's 47-year-old wife at the time of the burglary. She received minor bruising during the attack.

The injured man is now recovering at Gillingham's Medway Maritime Hospital where he is being treated for a suspected broken arm.

The gang stayed in the house for about 10 minutes before making off in a year-old dark coloured metallic Vauxhall Vectra.

Anyone with any information is asked to telephone Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.