POLICE have arrested two youths in connection with a serious assault in the early hours of the morning on a young man in East Cowes.

The attack was on a 19-year-old male in Yarborough Road, in the grounds of East Cowes Methodist Church, close to the junction with Adelaide Grove, at around 12.40am today (Saturday).

The victim claimed he was attacked by a youth carrying a knife, who punched him in the face, knocking a tooth out.

The National Police Air Service were scrambled to assist in the search for the suspect.

Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17 years, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault and are being questioned by the police about the incident, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said.

Neither have been charged at this stage.