A Selby man suffered a broken cheekbone and head injuries when he was kicked and punched in an assault in the town centre.

The 46-year-old man was assaulted near the Market Tavern in Micklegate at about 6.15pm on Friday.

He was allegedly punched and kicked in the attack, which caused a fracture to his cheekbone. He needed stitches for a lip wound, and treatment for other, non-life threatening injuries.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the victim was taken to York Hospital where he was treated and kept in overnight for observation before being allowed home.

Inquiries into the incident are continuing. A 36-year-old man, also from Selby, has been arrested in connection with the attack, and has been released on police bail.

Earlier this year, The Press reported that recorded crime in Selby had decreased more than any other area of North Yorkshire, with a 10.48 per cent reduction last year compared with 2009.

However, the figures showed that while burglaries were down by more than 15 per cent and criminal damage was down by 27.6 per cent, violent crimes had increased slightly throughout 2010, and figures released at the end of May showed reported crime in the first few months of 2011 was up 13 per cent on last year.

Anyone who saw the assault or may have information that could help officers should phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.