A HAMPSHIRE man is seriously ill in hospital after being brutally kicked in the head as he lay on the ground near a park.

The 25-year-old victim, from West End, is being treated at Southampton General Hospital for serious head injuries including a bleed on the brain, a fractured jaw and severe bruising.

Police are hunting a young woman and two men seen repeatedly kicking the man as he lay on the ground outside Fleming Park in Eastleigh shortly after midnight.

He had been walking along Passfield Avenue after a night out in the town when he was subjected to the savage assault.

Members of the public saw the trio standing over their victim and called police.

Detectives have today sealed off the area for examination, and have gone door-to-door in a bid to find witnesses.

Anyone with information should call Eastleigh CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.