POLICE are appealing for information after two men were hit with pellets from a gun in separate incidents in a Kent town on the same night.

One of the men had to have a pellet removed from the back of his head.

The first victim was a 61-year-old man who was walking along Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, at about 11.30pm on July 19 after going for a meal.

He was near Tesco Express filling station when he felt something hit him on the front of his right shoulder, causing a sharp pain.

He walked a couple of paces forward and then felt he had been hit again on the right side of his waist.

Pippa Taylor, police media and communications officer for the Mid-Kent area, said: "He then realised he was being shot at and looked round to see who was doing it but couldn’t identify where the shots were being fired from.

"When he took off his polo shirt he noticed that he had an injury approximately 3-5mm in diameter to the front of his right shoulder. He then checked his waist but it seems the second shot had hit his belt."

About 10 minutes later a 51-year-old man, also walking home near the Tesco Express petrol station, felt a pain in the back of his head and spun round to see what had caused it.

Ms Taylor added: "He believes it is possible he was shot at from above. He was taken to hospital and a pellet was found embedded in the back of his head. Hospital staff removed the pellet and the man is now recovering."

Anyone who may have witnessed the attacks, or has any further information, is urged to contact police on 01622 604180 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 – this call is free and confidential.