A MAN was beaten unconscious during a robbery in Christchurch in the early hours of Monday morning.

The victim, a 32-year-old local man, had left the Boathouse in Quay Road at around 1.30am that day.

As he made his way towards Arthur Road at the junction with Arthur Lane, he was attacked by two men and beaten into unconsciousness.

He woke to discover his wallet, phone and house keys were missing.

He was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where he was treated for concussion and a fractured thumb.

A 24-year-old Christchurch man was arrested on suspicion of robbery and has been released under investigation.

Detective Constable Mark Richardson, of Bournemouth CID, said: "We believe the victim encountered three men outside the Kings Arms in Castle Street before making his way toward Arthur Road."

He called for anyone with information, or members of the public who saw people acting suspiciously in the area at the time, to get in touch via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55170096060.