THE festive season in Salisbury was marred by a series of vicious assaults, two of which left their victims needing surgery.

So bad are one man's eye injuries that doctors cannot operate until the swelling has reduced. Another man was only fit enough to undergo surgery five days after he was attacked.

Police are urging witnesses to the attacks, all of which were unprovoked, to come forward.

The first attack happened at 8pm on December 19, when a 36-year-old Salisbury man was attacked between the West End post office and the Shell garage, at the junction of Cherry Orchard Lane and Wilton Road.

The passenger in a small blue hatchback, which had just left the Shell garage, leapt from the car and struck the man in the face, getting back into the car after the attack and being driven away.

The attacker had been holding an object in his hand and the victim was left with a small spring embedded in his right eye and fractures to his skull. He may lose the sight in one eye.

His attacker is described as aged 25-35, 6ft tall and of stocky build, with short hair.

Detective Constable John Rogers, of Salisbury CID, said there must have been witnesses.

He said: "It was a Friday evening and the garage was very busy, and two cars were waiting to pull out from the junction. Many people would have been within feet of this incident."

The second incident happened in the early hours of Boxing Day, when a 29-year-old Salisbury man was attacked by two men in Carmelite Way, near the junction with Exeter Street.

The men, both in their 20s and wearing baseball caps, punched the victim in the face before ramming the pointed end of a traffic cone into his face. He fell to the floor and was punched again, the attack leaving him with a fractured cheekbone and eye injuries.

One of his attackers was about 5ft 10in tall, with short, fair hair, and was wearing a black jacket and black jeans. The other was about 5ft 5in tall, with short, dark hair, and was wearing a hooded top with a logo.

The third attack happened about 9pm on Boxing Day, when a 50-year-old man was accosted in Friary Lane by two men, who struck him in the face, leaving him with a badly bruised eye and knocking him unconscious before robbing him.

They were aged 19-22, about 5ft 9in tall and wore baseball caps. One wore a white Puffa-style ski jacket.

The victim was helped to his flat by a middle-aged man who arrived just after the assault took place.

DC Rogers urged the Good Samaritan to contact them, as he could have vital information.

The fourth incident involved a couple walking home from New Year celebrations, about 4am on New Year's Day.

They were in St Ann's Place when they were assaulted by a man and two women, and the woman was robbed of her handbag.

The couple were taken to Salisbury District Hospital and released after treatment.

Police later arrested a 27-year-old man and women aged 22 and 20 in connection with the incident. They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

DC Rogers said the attacks had ruined the festive season for the five victims - especially the two attacked in Wilton Road and Carmelite Way.

"These two attacks were very nasty indeed, with no motive.

"Assaults such as these in such a short period of time are unusual in Salisbury and we appeal to anyone who might have been in the areas concerned to contact us urgently," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Salisbury CID, on 01722 411444, or to speak anonymously to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.