POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man in Winchester was left with severe head injuries.

The man, who is in his 40s, was last seen in Hyde Street at about 12.40am heading in the direction of Kings Worthy.

He was later found, at approximately 1.20am, by the roadside in Worthy Road and taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Hampshire police cordoned off Worthy Road, from Lawrence Way to Abbotts Road, at around 5am this morning while they investigate the incident.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police Julie Knight said: "The road is closed while police investigate a head injury of a man who has been taken to Southampton General Hospital. He was taken in the early hours of this morning."

Local resident Rose Piper said: "My son-in-law works for the ice rink and his friend was picking him up from Kings Worthy. He couldn't get through but they wouldn't tell them what happened but the road's been shut for some hours now."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police by calling 101.