Tesco has kept its Andover River Way branch open after a man was brutally attacked last night.

A 62-year-old is fighting for his life in hospital following an assault in-store.

There are unconfirmed reports that the victim was an employee of Tesco though the company has not yet confirmed this.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident. A 27-year-old man from Andover has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.

While three others – an 18-year-old man, a 28-year-old woman and a 36-year-old woman – have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All four remain in police custody.

Witnesses told The Advertiser dozens of police officers descended to the scene last night with an air ambulance flying in to take the patient to the hospital.

While part of the store remains beneath a police cordon, Tesco has made the decision to keep its Andover branch open.

A spokesman for Tesco declined to comment. It is understood the chain is helping the police with their enquiries.

One witness said: “I spoke to officers at the scene last night and they said a member of staff was confronted by someone and then attacked.”

He added he was concerned that police had “lost control” in the area and they weren’t seeing enough officers in Andover out and about on the beat.

The man cited a recent incident on London Street a few weeks ago where someone was seriously injured.