A MAN has been taken to hospital after being struck by a double-decker bus in Southampton.

The man was hit as he walked out into Above Bar, outside Cafe Parfait at about 4.30pm today.

Police say he suffered a head injury, but added that it is not thought to be life-threatening.

Horrified onlookers told the Daily Echo that they believed the man had stepped in front of the Bluestar Uni-Link bus on purpose, having already tried to do so earlier in the afternoon.

When asked whether the man had stepped in front of the bus deliberately, Sgt Alex Rawdon Smith said: "That is a possibility but I can't confirm it.

"It would appear that the driver is not at fault. There have been no arrests."

The man was taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment.

A spokesman from Bluestar said the driver of the U1A service was in a state of shock following the incident. 

He said: "The company is to provide CCTV images to help support eyewitness accounts given to the police. 

"The bus received no serious damage.  The company hopes that the injured man is able to make a fast and full recovery."