POLICE are investigating an alleged assault at a pub in Stonehouse which has left the victim in a "critical condition".

Officers were called to The Globe Inn, in the High Street, after receiving reports of an attack at around 11.40pm last night.

The 43-year-old victim was hit by the attacker and sustained a head injury outside the pub.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance and is currently in a stable but critical condition.

The landlord at The Globe Inn, Terry Stephenson, said he had now undergone an operation on the brain to stop the bleeding.

"The victim is one of the nicest people you could meet. He’s one of the most genuine people I know. There would never be any reason to attack him," he said.

He said there were a couple of witnesses who have now spoken to the police.

There was a band on last night and the pub was very busy, he added.

“The atmosphere had been very happy, everyone was enjoying themselves. It completely ruined the night.

“We are waiting to hear from the victim or his family, and we all hope he’s ok.”

Two police cars and a van attended the scene, and officers cordoned off The Globe Inn until around 12.30pm today. The pub is now open again.

It is understood that there have been no arrests yet.

A police spokesman urged anyone who witnessed the incident to call 101, quoting incident number 474 of August 30.