Police have put out a CCTV appeal following an assault on three men which left a 51-year-old man with serious injuries.

Officers released CCTV images (above) of three people they would like to speak to following the assault in Swanage, first reported yesterday.

Three local men, aged 19, 34 and 51 were assaulted by another group of men following an altercation near to Swanage Methodist Church on High Street.

The 51-year-old man was taken to hospital after suffering cuts to his head, which required stitches, while the other two victims suffered minor injuries.

The offenders are all described as white and in their early 20s.

One of the men was around five feet ten inches tall, of medium build with short light brown hair and was wearing a beige jacket.

The second man was around five feet nine inches tall, of slight build with short blond hair and was wearing a white t-shirt.

The third man was described as five feet eleven inches tall, of medium build with dark hair and wearing a dark top.

The incident happened at around 2.30am on Friday, August 4.

Police Constable Paul Diffey, of Purbeck police, said: "I am releasing CCTV images of the suspects in the hope that someone may be able to identify them. I appreciate the image quality is not the best, but anyone who knows who they are should still be able to recognise them.

“I am also appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident who has not already spoken to officers, or who has any other information that could assist us with identifying the offenders, to please contact Dorset Police."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170119571.

Alternatively, people can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.