DEVIZES police have appealed for witnesses to an incident in Market Lavington when a man was slashed on the arm in an apparently motiveless attack.

The 24-year-old victim from Easterton was sitting in the Market Place at around 2am on Saturday morning when another man walked past.

As he passed, the assailant slashed the victim with a sharp instrument, causing a serious laceration about four inches long on his inner forearm, requiring emergency surgery.

The victim, who has not been named, was taken to Salisbury District Hospital, where he has been kept in because doctors are seriously concerned that permanent damage may have been done to the muscles.

The assailant is described as a white man, about six feet tall, with cropped blonde hair and wearing a white T-shirt.

Police are anxious for any information on this unprovoked attack and can be contacted on (01380) 722141 or on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.