A man is in hospital after he was apparently hit over the head with a metal pole by a group of men in Stroud yesterday.

The National Police Air Service were called to assist Gloucestershire police on the ground in locating a vehicle connected with the assault.

Officers were called to Queens Square off Parliament Street in Stroud shortly after 1.50pm yesterday following reports of an altercation between the men.

The victim was found to have a suspected head injury after being hit with the pole and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

He remains in a stable condition at this time with non serious injuries.

A vehicle has been recovered in connection with the incident and enquiries to identify those involved are continuing.

They are described as being a black man of a skinny build who has paler patches on his face and was wearing dark clothing, a middle Eastern man with a beard and a mixed race man who was wearing a football shirt with jogging bottoms.

Anyone who witnessed the incident this afternoon or knows those who were involved is asked to please call 101 quoting incident 260 of 17 April.

Information can also be submitted at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/