A COUPLE were left with severe injuries after two thugs armed with an iron bar burst into a Southampton flat last night.

Police said a 49-year-old man had been beaten black and blue during the unprovoked attack in Colne Avenue, Millbrook.

His partner, a 53-year-old woman, was also struck in the face and hit her head as she fell to the floor.

Last night the male victim, who has not been named, remained in hospital with serious injuries to his head and body.

Detectives are treating the mystery incident as an aggravated burglary but said nothing appeared to have been stolen from the premises.

Today the ground-floor flat remained sealed off, with scenes of crime officers due to begin a detailed forensic search at the scene this afternoon.

Police today issued an appeal for witnesses as officers continued house-to-house inquiries in the Colne Avenue area.

Det Sgt Robert Bowness, leading the inquiry, said: "This appears to have been an unprovoked and horrendous act of violence.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the Millbrook area who may have seen the offenders to contact police."

Police said the two attackers forced their way into the woman's flat around 10.30pm.

It is thought the men had been allowed into the communal entrance by another resident before knocking on the victim's door.

Detectives said the occupant and her boyfriend, who was visiting, were surprised to get a caller at such a late hour.

The men then barged their way inside the property and lashed out at the couple, beating the man with an iron bar.

Both attackers were described as Afro-Caribbean and aged between 30 and 40.

One was around 5ft 8in, of heavy build and wore his hair in dreadlocks. He wore a black Benny-style woolly hat and a coat, which had either red writing or markings on it.

Anyone with information is urged to call Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545, or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.