Diners were given a nasty shock when a rat was spotted scuttling across the floor of a restaurant.

The rodent escaped via a hole in a wall at the Harvester in Rochester Road, Gravesend.

Richard Montgomery, 43, was having dinner with his family and photographed the intruder.

He said: “We were just sitting there having a family meal and just before the main came out we heard someone scream, ‘Rat!’

“This massive rat ran across the floor and into the wall through a big hole in the pillar.”

The manager was alerted, guests left the building and the restaurant was closed, with nobody charged for their food.

The incident happened on Saturday.

A Harvester spokesman said: “We apologise for this incident.Our pest control contractors completed a full investigation and clean immediately.”

The Harvester Gravesend has a five-star food hygiene rating.