Young man, 18, suffers serious facial injuries in 3am attack during big weekend at Chester Races

A young man was left with serious facial injuries following a 3am attack in Chester following a big day at the races.

The attack happened in the city centre during one of the biggest weekends in calendar for Chester Racecourse, which can host 50,000 race-goers at the Roodee.

Police have launched an investigation and one suspect has been arrested. Cheshire Police confirmed that at around 2.45am on Saturday (July 15), the victim, an 18-year-old man, was assaulted on Watergate Street.

Join our WhatsAp p Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link.

The teenager sustained serious facial injuries, said the force. A 19-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Detectives are now asking members of the public who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.

Earlier, police said officers would be out in force across the weekend as a so-called dispersal order was issued in the city centre, CheshireLive reported.

It is designed to prevent anti-social behaviour and gives officers powers to ban anyone from the town for up to 48 hours if they've been told to leave.

The force said yesterday that after a male was spotted on CCTV 'taking a controlled substance' he was searched and cops seized a meat cleaver and a claw hammer.

Inspector James Wilson said: "The races are a big draw to the city centre, and we want everyone to enjoy their time here, whether that’s as a racegoer, resident or business.

"These orders are additional tactical option that allow us to deal with anti-social behaviour head on. A number of officers will be out in key areas, patrolling around the city and I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer."

The famous course hosted the Camden Town Brewery Ladies &