A MAN was struck with a glass bottle and his girlfriend was punched in the head in one of two violent attacks in New Milton in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police say the victims, who were walking home from the Rydal pub, were one of two couples assaulted in the town in the space of just two hours.

Today police are hunting two men believed to be responsible for both attacks.

A spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary said a 23-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were assaulted on Barton Court Road at around 1.30am.

The male, who sustained serious head injuries, and the woman, who suffered minor injuries, were both taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital for treatment.

The force spokesman said: “At around 1.30am, the couple, who are both local, were walking home from the Rydal public house when they were assaulted.

“The man, 23, was hit over the head with a bottle, and his girlfriend, 22, punched in the head.”

At around 3.30am a second couple, also local to the area, were attacked on Ashley Common Road at the junction to Poplar Road, which is approximately a mile and a half from where the first assault took place.

The force spokesman said: “The victim and his girlfriend were walking home when they were approached by two males who shouted something at them.

“The victim was then assaulted, receiving injuries to his head and face.”

Police say the victim’s injuries were not serious and did not require hospital treatment.

Andrew Bond, manager at the Rydal told the Daily Echo a man was headbutted in the pub’s garden shortly before the first assault. It’s believed the incident escalated after those involved were asked to leave the premises.

“It’s very sad," he said. "We’ve worked really hard over the past year and a half to improve the pub and we work closely with the police and are part of the pub watch scheme.

He added: “The people involved were asked to leave and will be banned.”

Residents who live on Barton Court Road said they were shocked to hear of the attack.

Margaret Covington, who has lived in the area for the last seven years, said: "It's a very quiet residential area. You don't usually hear of things like this around here.”

Bob Harvey, who lives on Ashley Common Road, was woken in the night by the sound of shouting as the second assault took place.

Describing the incident as very out of the ordinary, the 77-year-old said: “I’ve lived here for 25 years and we’ve never had any trouble.”

Anyone who witnessed either assault or has information about those responsible is urged to contact Hampshire Constabulary by calling 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.