A man had the bottom of his nose bitten off during a vicious assault in Carlisle.

It was one of two serious assaults in the city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning.

In one, a couple were targeted while waiting for a taxi in Court Square at about 3am.

The 51-year-old man and his 48-year-old wife were approached by another couple.

During the initial assault, the female victim fell to the floor, sustaining cuts and bruising to her eye.

The man was then assaulted soon after near to Bush Brow, off Victoria Viaduct.

Police said he had the bottom of his nose bitten off and was left with suspected fractured ribs.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They are particularly keen to speak to a group of females who were at the taxi rank and helped the woman after the initial assault.

Just half an hour earlier a 39-year-old woman was assaulted in a separate incident, this time in Botchergate.

It happened outside the CA1 barber shop at 2.30am.

She was attacked by another female, who pulled her to the ground by her hair. The victim then had her head banged against the ground.

She was left with a head injury and headed hospital treatment.

Police say it was a busy night in the city and are appealing for witnesses to the incidents to contact officers on 101.