A WOMAN and her boyfriend were punched in the face and head as they travelled on a Southampton bus.

The 23-year-old and her 28-year-old partner got on the number 18 Blue Star service in Millbrook to Thornhill before 7pm on Friday.

Along the route the bus stopped near Bitterne Precinct at Lances Hill and three men got on.

As the bus travelled through Thornhill, one of the men went up to the couple and hit both of them in the face as the bus passed Dumbleton Towers in War-burton Road around 7.30pm.

The woman was bruised on her chin and cheek and the man had a swollen nose.

Police say the suspect is of mixed race.

PC Rory Stuart from Bitterne police station, said: “I am confident someone will be able to help and must have seen what happened.”

Anyone with any information about the assault on Friday is asked to call PC Rory Stuart at Bitterne police station on 101 or call Crime-stoppers on 0800 555 111.