Thirteen people have been injured and a 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car was driven into Blake's nightclub in Gravesend.

Kent Police believes the driver had been asked to leave the venue after a fight.

Witnesses described "a complete mess of panic and chaos" in the wake of the incident shortly before midnight on Saturday, March 17.

Shocked clubbers spilled out onto the street as emergency services arrived.

Witness Sonny Powar said he saw two people get hit by the car before the driver was pulled from the vehicle.

"(It was) just a normal night out at Blake's Nightclub in Gravesend in Kent," he said.

"But some guy wasn't let into the club or got kicked out so he drove his 4x4 into the tent we was all in.

"It stopped at my feet so any further and I could have died, then he reversed up and we all ran.

"We ripped the tent wall apart and got out and called the police.

"It was a complete mess of panic and chaos."

Several people have broken bones, but no injuries are life-threatening or life-changing.

Police believe others who were injured might have left the scene, and want to speak to anyone hurt to establish the number of victims.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism.

Kent Police said they were called to a nightclub in Queen Street at 11.47pm on Saturday.

The force said: "Kent Police has arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder after an incident in Gravesend where a number of people have been injured when a car drove into a nightclub building.

"The driver of the vehicle who is believed to have been asked to leave the nightclub earlier that evening following an altercation has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody."

The man police arrested suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a "precaution", and he is now in custody.

Investigating officer detective chief inspector David Chewter, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "This was a frightening experience for everyone involved and it is a miracle that nobody was killed."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent two fire engines to the scene to assist the police.

A statement posted on Facebook by the club on Sunday morning said: "Although we are deeply saddened that injuries occurred, we are grateful that no one was fatally hurt.

"We see our guests as family and we want to extend our concerns with them and the entire community of Gravesend, many of which bravely aided the staff and emergency services.

"Thank you to the heroic actions of our door team and guests to apprehend the individual before further harm was caused."