The police officer who was hit over the head with a fire extinguisher has been released from hospital.

PC Mike Tovell, 30, suffered head, neck and back injuries in the incident at Cliftonville on Friday.

He was taken to the QEQM hospital in Margate, kept in overnight as a precaution and released at lunchtime on Saturday.

PC Tovell, who has served with Kent Police for six years, was injured while responding to reports of a burglary at 10.40am at a former hotel that has been converted into flats in Northdown Road.

It is believed he was hit over the head with a fire extinguisher.

From information from PC Tovell, it appears at least three offenders were in the premises at the time.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Area commander John Molloy said: "The officer was struck around the back of the head.

"The incident emphasises that what can be a day-to-day routine call can present extreme dangers to our officers.

"It's in the interest of our communities to support and give information to the police to help us deal with people who are prepared to use such violence."

A crowd of more than 100 watched as officers, including plain clothes and scenes of crime teams, attended the incident.

Around a dozen police vehicles blocked off the road and traffic was diverted away from the scene.

Charlie Marsh, manager of the nearby Time Tunnel amusement arcade, alerted the police at 8.45am on Friday when he arrived to find water pouring into the arcade.

It appeared the flood had been caused by intruders ransacking the derelict building and tearing radiators off the wall.

He said: "When the police arrived they went around the back of the property to get in. I understand one officer was hit over the head with a fire extinguisher. Then all the others arrived."

Mr Marsh had spoken to Kathleen Austen of CJ's Fancy Goods, immediately next to the rundown hotel, who said she had heard a lot of noise from the building above and a "terrific bang".

Ms Austen, whose shop has been seriously flooded with damage to the structure and stock, said people were coming in and out of the property constantly.

The property had been empty since the beginning of June after it was deemed unsafe.

Mr Marsh said he believed about 20 people had lived in rooms there previously. He had been trying to contact the landlord for a week.

Police would like to hear from witnesses who saw anyone entering or running away from the premises at 258 Northdown Road, or who has seen anything suspicious since then.They should contact Kent Police on 01622 690690.