A search is under way for a man after a woman was left seriously injured in an incident at a village pub near Sevenoaks.

Kent Police said it was called to a “disturbance” at the Three Horseshoes on Main Road, Knockholt, just after 19:00 GMT on Friday.

Officers attended along with South East Coast Ambulance Service and found a woman in her 40s had “suffered serious injuries”.

Witnesses reported to the BBC and local media that they had been told the woman had been shot, although this has not been confirmed by police.

Steve Maines, a parish councillor in Knockholt, told the BBC he heard a “commotion” outside the venue and was told someone had been shot.

He said: “We were sitting having our Valentine’s Day meal when all of a sudden we heard this huge commotion outside in the car park.

“We were told someone had been shot so we had to leave.”

A notice on the pub’s Facebook page said it would be closed on Saturday “following a tragic incident outside the pub last night”.

The Three Horseshoes is located about five miles (8km) north-east of Sevenoaks.

A Kent Police spokesperson said: “The suspect, a man who is believed to be known to the victim, left the area and is currently outstanding.

“Enquiries to locate him and to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.”

BBC reporter Daniel MacLaren said on Saturday morning the area immediately around the pub remained cordoned off with police tape.

Police officers are standing by at the scene to prevent access.