A MAN has been arrested in connection with a serious assault after a seriously injured police officer was rushed to hospital in Southampton.

Robert Mann, 26, of Coriander Drive, Totton, has been charged with grievous bodily harm.

It comes after police were called to Yates bar in Above Bar Street shortly after midnight yesterday to reports of several people fighting in the street.

On arrival the first officer to on the scene was attacked outside the bar.

The victim, a 54-year-old man, was taken to Southampton General Hospital with a serious facial injury.

Mann has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court this morning.

A 27-year-old man, from West Wellow, and a 22-year-old man, from Totton, who were arrested in connection with this incident have been bailed.

A 32-year-old man who was also arrested has been released with no further action to be taken against him.

A spokesperson for Yates said, "An incident started at a nearby bar, as the incident escalated our door team went to assist police in helping to get the situation under control.  

"No Yates customers were involved nor any hurt.  Our team will continue to assist police with their investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact us on 101, quoting 44190215711, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.