A MAN has been arrested over a brutal hammer attack that left a 17-year-old Hampshire girl with "serious, life-changing head injuries", police say.

The 28-year-old man from Portsmouth is being held over the vicious assault on April 11 which is being treated as attempted murder.

Hampshire Police said the attack took place at a property in Shearer Road in the city with possible links to the sex trade.

As part of the investigation, police warned that a man suspected to be involved could be in Dorset and urged anyone with information to get in touch.

A force spokesman said: "Police investigating a serious assault on a 17-year-old girl in Shearer Road, Portsmouth, on Monday, April 11 have made an arrest.

"A 28-year-old man from Portsmouth is in police custody."

Officers had offered a £5,000 reward for information.