POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a vicious assault left a 28-year-old good Samaritan with serious facial injuries after he attempted to prevent a fight.

Officers have not named the victim who attempted to stop the fracas in Hughenden Yard, Marlborough, at about 3am on Sunday.

Sgt Martyn Sweett said the man tried to stop a fight by holding the arm of the aggressor.

He was then grabbed around the throat and punched in the face and was knocked to the ground.

While he was on the ground, the attack continued with a number of kicks aimed at his face and head.

The victim received a fractured eye socket, broken nose and facial cuts.

He needed treatment at Swindon's Great Western Hospital but was not detained. Sgt Sweett said: "There were a number of individuals in the vicinity at the time of the assault.

"We would be interested to speak to anyone who has any knowledge of this incident."

He added that police believed they knew the identity of the attacker but wanted corroborative evidence from bystanders.

Anyone with information can contact Sgt Sweett at Marlborough Police Station on (01672) 512311.