A man was smashed across the face with a bottle and suffered a broken jaw during an assault in Banbury last night.

A man and a woman - both in their twenties - were walking through the grounds of St Mary's Church at about 8.15pm when they were approached by a group of youths.

One male teenager asked them for money, but when they refused he hit the man across the face with a bottle, breaking his jaw.

That was followed by a blow to the back of head, which smashed the bottle causing lacerations.

The couple ran off and reported the incident at Banbury police station.

The man was treated at the Horton General and transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he underwent surgery today.

Police described one of the youths as white, 5ft 7ins, around 16-years-old and skinny. He was wearing a white hooded top.

Dc Tracey Nicolson of Banbury CID said: "This was clearly a vicious and unprovoked attack and we are vigorously investigating it. I would appeal for anyone who may have seen the incident to come forward."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 0845 8 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.