A DAD is recovering in hospital after being stabbed as he tried to protect his son from a gang.

Andrew Gayfer, 46, remains in Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, following the attack early yesterday.

Speaking to News Shopper, his wife Deborah said the fire alarm engineer was in a lot of pain.

Mr Gayfer was stabbed several times around 3am yesterday as he battled to protect his 17-year-old son Alex.

According to Mrs Gayfer, Alex was chased as he returned to his home in Colt Stead, New Ash Green.

He had been to see a friend who had recently returned to the area.

The teenager managed to get inside the family home but the gang smashed through the glass in the front door.

Mr Gayfer rushed downstairs and put himself between the gang and his son and was stabbed in the back, arm and abdomen.

Mrs Gayfer called an ambulance which took her husband to Darent Valley.

The full-time carer said: "I am still stiff with shock. It's surreal; you see this sort of thing on the television but you don't think it will happen to you."

Police later arrested four men, aged 18, 19, 20 and 21, in connection with the incident.

The men, who are all from New Ash Green, have been released on police bail as further inquiries are carried out.

Anyone with information should call north Kent police on 01474 565075 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.