POLICE have launched a witness appeal after a man was assaulted with a crow bar in Skipton.

The 35-year-old was leaving the Rose and Crown pub, on Coach Street, at around 11.15pm on Saturday when the incident happened.

As he left the pub, the victim heard the sound of car engines revving up, causing excessive noise.

DC Sue Marklew told the Herald: "He made some kind of comment to the people in the cars and the next thing he knew someone from one of the cars bent down and picked up what looked like some sort of metal bar, which he used to assault the victim with twice."

The victim sustained serious injuries during the attack, including a dislocated ankle and an ear injury which will require plastic surgery.

The cars, believed to be a Rover 200 with a registration plate including the numbers 441, and a BMW Z3, then drove off at speed along Coach Street.

The police now want to speak to two males who were involved in the incident.

The first is a white male, between five feet 10 inches and six feet one inch tall, around 20 years of age, of slim build and with short fair hair.

The other man, who is believed to be responsible for the attack, is described as a black male in his late 20s, approximately six feet one inch tall, of athletic build and with a shaven head.

DC Marklew added: "This was a totally unprovoked and vicious attack, in which the victim suffered serious injuries."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Skipton police on 01756 793377.