Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered serious head injuries in a town centre attack on Boxing Day.

The 41-year-old man was walking along Edward Street, Dunstable, towards his car between 2000 and 2020 GMT when he was approached by a man who asked for a light and money.

When he refused he was punched in the face and bitten on the eyebrow.

During the struggle he was also punched in the stomach and grabbed by a second man who pushed his fingers into his eyes and dragged him to the ground.

This was frightening attack on a man who was left with painful injuries and the worry of longer term problems Police Constable Shona Buckley

Both men ran off towards Union Street.

The victim discovered his Rotary watch, gold neck chain and gold stud earring, worth �820 were missing.

The victim underwent surgery at the Luton and Dunstable hospital for injuries to the whites of his eyes and is waiting to learn whether he has suffered permanent damage to his tear ducts.

Police Constable Shona Buckley said one attacker was white, in his late 20s to early 30s, 5ft 10in to six feet tall, slim with dark hair and a local accent.

'Painful injuries'

He was wearing a dark padded jacket.

The second attacker had a Scottish or Geordie accent.

Ms Buckley said: "This was frightening attack on a man who was left with painful injuries and the worry of longer term problems.

"The incident happened in a residential street in the town centre and we would urge anyone who saw, or heard, this incident taking place to get in touch with us immediately."