A MAN has been arrested after an alleged assault on a man from Dorchester.

Police are also hunting three men following another attack half an hour later on the same road.

The offence on the 21-year-old from the county town is said to have taken place on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth and a Dorset Police spokesperson said the victim sustained severe bruising and cuts to his head and face.

A 23-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested and is helping police with their enquiries.

But thirty minutes later another man was assaulted in Bournemouth town centre in the same area.

Police said a 20-year-old man from the Bournemouth area was approached by an unknown man outside Barclays on Old Christchurch Road and punched to the side of his face.

The victim was unconscious after the attack and suffered a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain.

Detective Constable Matthew Manners, of Bournemouth CID, said: "Following enquiries I am able to release images of three men that I would like to speak to in relation to this assault.

"I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, and anyone with information about those responsible, to contact police as soon as possible.

"I would urge the three men pictured - and anyone who recognises them - to contact me in confidence."

The incidents, and the alleged assault on the Dorchester man, took place at around 3.30am on Sunday, December 30.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101.