A MAN was badly beaten when a stag do at a Hampshire pub turned violent.

The 46-year-old suffered a broken eye socket, a broken nose and broken cheekbone and will need several operations.

However, his injuries are so severe that doctors cannot operate until all the swelling goes down.

Police are appealing for witnesses after trouble flared at the Kings Arms in Lockerley on Saturday night.

The victim, who has not been named but comes from Marchwood, was one of a group of 40 attending the stag night at the pub, which is listed in the Good Food Guide 2012.

Owner Lucy Townsend, who was in the pub when the incident happened, said she was unaware of any violence in the bar.

She said: “None of the bar staff saw anything. There was bit of a disturbance with raised voices.

“As far as we know no one got hurt on the premises.”

Ms Townsend said she was surprised when the police turned up the next day to investigate the alleged assault and taped off the front of the pub.

“The police said that they had received a complaint that someone had been hurt at the pub the night before. This was the first we heard about it,” she added.

Police said a 33-year-old Salisbury man was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He has been bailed to report back to the police on February 17 pending further inquiries.

A police spokesman said: “Several groups of people were in the pub at the time. This was a vicious attack and the victim will require several operations. He was taken to Southampton General Hospital and discharged after treatment. When the swelling goes down he will have surgery.”

Anyone with information about the attack, which happened between 10pm and 11pm, is asked to contact Detective Constable Keith Evans at Lyndhurst Police Station on 101.