Elderly man in critical condition after assault

A man in his 70s is in a critical condition in hospital following a serious assault.

Emergency services were called to Honeybourne Way in Cheltenham, close to the Waitrose store, at around 19:30 BST on Wednesday to reports of an attack.

Gloucestershire Police said the man was later taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where he remains.

Officers want to trace two men who were captured on CCTV in the area.

One of the men is described as being white, aged between 20 and 30, of a muscular build and bald.

He was also said to be wearing a black T-shirt with white writing across the front, black shorts, black socks and grey shoes.

The second man is also described as being white and of a similar age.

He was topless and was wearing black shorts with a logo on the bottom of the left leg, a grey cap, white socks and grey trainers.

Police said shortly before the assault, it was reported two men had thrown a large branch at a cyclist from the Millennium Bridge.

It is not believed the cyclist was injured.

The men then left the bridge and were approached by the victim on Honeybourne Way.

It is reported an exchange took place between them before one of the men punched the victim in the face, causing him to fall to the ground.

The two men then fled before officers arrived at the scene.

Closures, currently in place on the Honeybourne Line cycle route to allow for forensic work to take place, are expected to remain for some time.

Anyone who recognises the men, or has any information or relevant dashcam or mobile phone footage, has been urged to contact police.

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