A BARRY man may lose an eye after being left for dead in a vicious weekend attack.

Cadoxton resident Andrew Ralphs, 44, suffered severe head and facial injuries when he was set upon as he walked home from the Royal Hotel at 9pm, on Saturday.

He was discovered lying in the street, directly opposite the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church by passers-by.

The bystanders, one of whom was a nurse, comforted him until the ambulance arrived.

He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales. His injuries included a broken jaw, two broken cheekbones and a damaged eye socket.

Doctors also have to wait until Tuesday to operate because the swelling on his badly-damaged face meant early surgery was impossible.

His condition is now described as stable but there are fears he may lose the sight in at least one eye.

Police investigating the case believe Mr Ralphs may have been caught up in a disturbance outside the Royal Hotel. It is also thought that he may have been drinking inside the pub earlier.

Detective Huw Thomas, urged the public to come forward if they witnessed the attack or have any relevant information.

Vale of Glamorgan Police spokesman PC Simon Rees added: "We know a number of people saw the attack on Saturday night.

"The ambulance service arrived on the scene before the police, and the medics reported seeing a group of people around the injured man. These people then left the scene before their details could be taken.

"The man is very lucky to be alive after such a malicious attack. We would ask these individuals to come forward and make contact with the CID department at Barry Police Station."

This latest attack has renewed calls for CCTV cameras in the area.

Cllr Fred Johnson told the News: "It is an unusual incident but I still believe we need CCTV cameras outside the Royal Hotel. It is something I have been campaigning for since resident Lee Johnson was killed on the road six years ago.

If you have any information, call 01446 731606 or you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.