A MAN has suffered 'serious head injuries' after he was kicked and punched unconscious following an altercation outside a petrol station in Fleet.

Officers found the man lying on Fleet Road shortly after 2.48am on Saturday morning.

Police say the victim had been to a local nightclub with a friend and afterwards visited the Esso garage.

When they were walking back towards the town centre, they came across two men, one of which they’d spoken to inside the club.

Homophobic comments were made towards the victim by one of the males and an altercation broke out which resulted in the victim being punched once in the head, knocking him to the ground.

At this point, an unknown man is alleged to have stamped on the victim while he was on the floor, unconscious, before leaving the scene in a dark coloured vehicle, believed to be an Audi.

The assault resulted in the victim sustaining a significant injury. He currently remains in hospital.

A 25-year-old man from Hayes has been arrested on suspicion of GBH and has since been released under investigation.

Officers are now launching an appeal for further information on the second suspect.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "Officers wish to identify and locate the unknown man seen to leave the scene in the dark coloured car and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Do you have any information about this incident that can assist this investigation? Please call police on 101, quoting 44220338242."