POLICE investigating an attack on a Hythe student have revealed that the victim suffered memory loss after being knocked out.

The 17-year-old was punched, kicked and robbed off his wristwatch in a vicious assault by two youths at Fawley Road, Hythe.

The teenager was walking back to the Netley View estate after seeing his girlfriend home safely to Dibden Purlieu.

As reported in the Daily Echo he was approached by two strangers and beaten up after refusing to hand over his cigarettes.

Dc Cliff McCarthy, of Hythe police, said: "The victim suffered a temporary memory loss and then somehow got home.

"From there he contacted a friend who took him to Hythe Hospital.

"He was then transferred to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance, where he was treated for cuts and bruises and underwent a minor operation on his ear.

"He also suffered a chipped tooth in the attack."

The student's memory loss has made it impossible for police to pinpoint the exact time of what Dc McCarthy called "a very serious attack".

But the crime is thought to have taken place at midnight on Tuesday or shortly afterwards.

The victim's watch has since been recovered.

One of his assailants is described as 16 years old, about 5ft 5in, with blond hair in a skinhead cut. His accomplice is thought to be approximately the same age.