POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted near a Hampshire hotel.

The 50-year-old was taken to hospital with serious head and facial injuries after an attack in the early hours of Christmas Day.

Officers are carrying out forensic examinations of the scene outside Festing Hotel in Festing Road, Southsea, and are asking any people with information to come forward.

A man aged in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of causing grevious bodily harm and was still in police custody as of yesterday.

The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact CID at Fratton police station in Portsmouth by phoning 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.