A MAN was left needing 200 stitches and surgery after a "vicious" assault outside a pub in Bournemouth.

Detectives investigating what they are calling a serious assault are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

They said that, between 11pm and midnight on Saturday, an altercation took place between two men in The Cranleigh pub at Clingan Road in Southbourne.

The fight continued outside, where a group of three or four men viciously assaulted the victim – a 21-year-old man from Bournemouth.

He was left with serious injuries to his face, which required 200 stitches and surgery.

He also suffered a broken arm and hand.

No weapon was used.

Police have conducted extensive inquiries at the pub and are examining CCTV footage.

Detective Constable Mark Holmes, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was not just a simple bar scuffle. It was a vicious group attack which left the victim requiring extensive facial surgery.

"Someone knows who is responsible for this attack and I am urging that person to come forward.

“All calls will be treated in strict confidence.”

Officers say they are not in a position at this stage to say exactly how the injuries were sustained.

The victim is recovering at home after being operated on.

Pauline Gough, 70, retired, who lives nearby, said: "It's dreadful. We've had our issues in the past and there's a new landlord there. They have had spats there before. I am shocked that it was a vicious attack."

Another resident, Geoff Lucas, 67, retired, said: "I haven't heard of anything this serious at the pub before. It's upsetting to hear because it's a family pub. It's not that noisy but it can get rowdy at the pub, as they have the football on the screens and people are in high spirits, but you almost expect that from a pub. I'm quite disturbed to hear about it."

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 10.57pm to a report of one male casualty who had been assaulted.

“He was treated at the scene for injuries to his face, which looked like cuts and bruises.”

The spokesman said the man was not taken to hospital at the time of the initial response to the incident, and may have attended later.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 9:17 or call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.