AN unprovoked attack in a Dorchester bar left a man with a broken nose and jaw.

The incident happened at the Apple Tree bar on Trinity Street in the early hours of yesterday.

A 40-year-old man from the county town was allegedly assaulted in an unprovoked attack at the bar area inside the premises.

Officers have arrested a 36-year-old Dorchester man who is helping them with their enquiries.

The victim was left with serious facial injuries following the assault in the town centre premises at around 1.30am.

Detective Constable Andy Marsh, of Weymouth CID, said: “This incident took place in a bar in Dorchester town centre. There will have been witnesses to this alleged assault and I am very keen to speak with anyone who may have seen what happened.

“The victim suffered serious facial injuries as a result of this incident and I would encourage anyone with any information to contact Dorset Police.”

Police would like any witnesses to come forward to help them with the investigation.

Dorchester mayor Andy Canning said the county town is an ‘incredibly’ safe place to go out at any time.

He added: “Incidents like this are extremely rare.

“The community and the police work very closely with each other to make the county town a safe place to live and visit.

“Dorchester is incredibly safe and it is a shame that an incident like this happened.”

Rick Green, chairman of Dorchester Pub Watch, said: “We obviously do not condone this kind of behaviour at all.

“This is something we take very seriously and we will most definitely aim to tackle this issue at the next pub watch meeting on November 6.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is urged to telephone Dorset Police on 101.