POLICE have made a third arrest in connection with a "brutal" town centre assault which left a man with serious facial injuries.

The attack took place in the early hours of Saturday, July 16 on Kirkland Street near Asda and police issued a CCTV appeal which led to a strong public response.

The alleged victim, who is in his 20s, was found to have suffered a fractured eye socket, a fractured nose and cuts and bruises.

A 27-year-old man from St Helens has become the third person to be arrested in connection with the assault.

He has been released by police pending a charging decision.

Last week two teenagers from Liverpool, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of assault and have been bailed until October pending further enquiries.