POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a Petersfield man was left with a “serious” head injury.

A statement released soon after the incident said: “Detectives are investigating after a man was left seriously injured after being assaulted in Petersfield. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital with a serious head injury.”

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said yesterday (Tuesday) the 37-year-old victim was still in Southampton General Hospital.

The incident happened outside Wilson Hill estate agents in Lavant Street between midnight and 1am on Saturday, July 2.

Ambulance crew tending the victim alerted police just after 1am. It’s thought the victim's injuries are potentially life-changing.

Immediately after the incident, the pavement outside the estate agent was cordoned off and officers in a parked car ensured the scene wasn’t disturbed overnight.

Scene of crime officers arrived before the shops opened on Saturday morning.

The Happy Cow fruit and vegetable shop next to the estate agents couldn’t open until about 10.15am, after forensic work was finished on the pavement.

A waterproof bag had been used to cover blood in the middle of the cordoned off area, said an early morning shopper in Lavant Street.

Another shopper said: “There were police in a car right next to the cordon, and blood covered about 10 inches of the pavement.

“It was drizzling and it wasn’t covered over then, so I guess the police had finished there.

“I don’t know what happened, but whatever it was it must have been serious.”

Police also said there had been one other “minor” incident on Saturday night, which wasn’t linked to the Lavant Street one.

Anyone with information, or who saw anything suspicious between midnight and 2am is asked to contact the Eastern Investigation Team in Fratton on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Details are also on a witness appeal poster in the window of The George pub in The Square.

* Police said yesterday (Tuesday) a 37-year-old Petersfield man arrested in connection with the incident has been released on police bail until July 12.