POLICE are hunting an attacker who battered a man with a hammer on Friday night and shattered his jaw.

The attack came after the 24-year-old victim had been involved in an argument with two men on a piece of land between the King Arthur's Way shops and the Entertainer pub.

Det Sgt Gareth George said that a third man - who had not been with the others - arrived and struck the victim on the side of the face two or three times.

The victim ran off towards the pub but was followed and hit again. The attacker ran off in the direction of the footbridge towards Camelot Close.

Afterwards the victim was taken to Royal Hampshire County Hospital and then transferred to Southampton General Hospital, where he underwent surgery to put plates in his jaw. The attacker is described as a stocky white man, 5ft 9ins tall, with short, dark hair - probably black. He was wearing a cream coloured, round-neck sweatshirt with an emblem on the front, and black trousers.

The police are appealing for witnesses and are continuing to investigate the attack and to hunt the attacker.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt George on 0845 045 4545.