POLICE have found a man who was repeatedly struck with a hammer during a “nasty” attack in West Howe.

Officers were called to Mandale Road at 6.45pm on Friday following reports the driver of a blue jeep had been attacked by two men.

DC James Lees from Bournemouth CID said witnesses reported seeing a silver Alfa Romeo parked sideways in the road in front of a blue Land Rover.

Two men, one of which was armed with a hammer, were seen getting out of the car and attacking the driver of the 4x4, he said. 

The offenders drove off in the silver car and the Land Rover, which police believe did not belong to the victim.

Up until this morning police were still searching for the victim who fled the scene after the attack.

The victim, a 36-year-old man from Bournemouth, sustained non-life threatening head and leg injuries and required hospital treatment. 

Two brothers, who live in the Bournemouth area, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries until the end of September. 

Police are urging the victim and any witnesses to come forward.

DC Lees said: “We are still trying to trace the victim.

“We have a number of eye witnesses that saw him leave the scene and we believe his injuries are consistent with grievous bodily harm.”

The victim was seen walking off in the direction of Draper Road covered in blood.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said he saw the “horrible” attack from his bedroom window.

He said: “I saw two men hitting him with something. They kept swinging it down on him.”

He added: “The young man was in a bit of a mess. There was blood covering his face and all down his clothes. He was stumbling around but could barely walk.”

Another said: “The silver car went past the jeep and then turned around. It drove in front of it, stopping it from getting out.

“Two men got out and attacked him. He was staggering across the road with blood pouring out of his head.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC 1748 Kempton at Dorset Police by calling 101.