A MAN'S eyesight could be permanently damaged after a "nasty" early hours assault at a taxi rank in Bournemouth.

Police have launched an appeal following the attack on Old Christchurch Road around 4am on Sunday December 9.

The victim was standing in the queue for a taxi when he stepped forward to speak with the driver.

But a man suddenly appeared from behind, telling the victim it was his taxi and a verbal altercation took place.

The victim, a Bournemouth man in his 40s, was punched from behind on the side of the head by a second man, causing him to fall to the ground.

He was then kicked on the ground by the men, before he managed to get up and run off toward the Lansdowne roundabout before making his way home.

The following day he discovered problems with his vision and pain to his eye socket.

After visiting an eye specialist he was diagnosed with a damaged retina. It is unknown if or when his eyesight will fully restore.

The first offender is described as five feet five inches tall, aged in his late teens or early 20s, of slight build and had short black hair.

The second offender is described as six feet tall, of slim build and had short dark-coloured hair.

Detective Constable Ben Swain said: "This was a nasty assault, which has left the victim with a serious eye injury and I am appealing to anyone who saw what happened or who has any information that could assist with the investigation to please come forward.

"I believe that there may have been a group of women nearby at the time who may have witnessed the incident and I would ask that they contact Dorset Police.

"We have made CCTV enquiries and at this stage we have not been able to identify any footage that could assist in identifying the suspects, however I would request that taxi drivers or motorists who were in the area at the time review their dashcam footage and report anything relevant to us."

Contact police on 101 for more information.