A woman has been left with a broken tooth and bruising in what she believes may have been a homophobic attack by a man in Dartford.

The woman alleged on a community Facebook group that while she was kicked between the legs on the ground her attacker used homophobic language towards her.

Police were called to Keyes Road at 9.40pm on Monday, December 4.

In a post on community page Temple Hill News and Views, the woman said: "I have a broken tooth, cut lip, bruising to my head, left hand side temple, jaw bone, my eyes are sore from where he put his thumbs in them and pushed and I am bruised down below from where he kicked me as I lay on the ground.

"If I hadn't of protected me face I would be nursing some very serious injuries, he just did [not] stop punching, I had no way of fighting back."

The victim also said she believes the motivation behind the attack is her sexuality.

She said: "The 1 question I wish I could answer is why. I think it is a homophobic attack as when I was laying on the floor he kick me between the legs and called me a no good lesbo."

A 61-year-old man from Dartford has been arrested on suspicion of assault. He has since been released on bail until December 27.

Messages of support have been left by Temple Hill residents for the victim, with one saying: "Wishing you a speedy recovery, what a horrendous ordeal you've been through, but you clearly have amazing friends who are supporting you."

Another said: "This so awful words fail me. I hope you feel better soon."

Findings, released by charity Stonewall in September and based polling of more than 5,000 LGBT people in Britain, found that homophobic attacks have surged 80 per cent in UK over last four years.