A man is in a critical condition in hospital after an assault on Station Road, Bawtry, early on the morning 1st January near to the Penny Farthing public house.

The 35-year-old man was with his girlfriend outside a hairdressers shop just after midnight (Sunday, 1 January 2012) when he was approached by an unknown man and assaulted in what appears to be an unprovoked attack.

The offender fled the scene. The 35-year-old local man was initially taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary but later transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield with a severe head injury. His condition is described as critical.

The offender is described as a white male, stocky build, late 20s to early 30s with blond short hair.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or

can provide any information to assist the ongoing investigation should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 87 of Sunday, 1 January 2012.