COUNCILLORS have expressed their shock and concern after a man was blinded during an early hours attack in Weymouth.

Police said a man aged in his 40s, was walking alone on the Rodwell Trail in Weymouth, close to the basketball courts in Parr Way near Wyke Regis when it was reported that he was struck in the face with a glass bottle.

He was taken to hospital for serious facial injuries and has sadly lost the use of his eyesight in one eye.

The incident occurred between 1am and 4am on Saturday, January 6 - but this information has only just been released as part of a police appeal.

Dorset Echo:

Mayor and Wyke Councillor Kate Wheller expressed her ‘concern’ and determination to get ‘safety measures carried out.’

She said: “I am always very sad when I hear of these acts of violence carried out anywhere around the town.

“The Rodwell Trail is such a wonderful amenity and anything like this happening there is a concern.

“I am very keen that any safety measures are now being carried out to make things better for people walking there.

“I hope the person that was injured makes as good a recovery as possible and I wish him the best.”

Dorset Councillor Clare Sutton of the Rodwell and Wyke Ward uses the trail on a regular basis.

She said: “This is an extremely distressing incident, and I would urge anyone who has any information which might help the investigation to contact the police.

“The Rodwell Trail is a hugely valuable local asset, and it is critical that its many users, commuters, walkers, school children feel safe.

“I live very close to where the incident took place, and this will not put me off using the trail on a regular basis, but caution should certainly be exercised late at night in particular.”

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward following the assault.

Police Constable Harry Chaplin, of Weymouth police, said: “We are conducting enquiries into this assault, and I am keen to hear from anyone with information that might assist our investigation.

“I would urge anyone who was in the area in of the Rodwell Trail or Parr Way and witnessed any suspicious activity around the time of the incident to please contact us.”

Works are finally taking place to connect a power supply to the CCTV cameras along the Rodwell Trail - however, they will not cover the area that the incident took place.

Cameras are being installed near the Marsh, next to Wyke Road Tunnel and Buxton Road Bridge.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240007620.