A MAN suffered broken ribs and a woman was left with two black eyes after they attempted to break up a violent arguement involving a couple in Honiton.

Police are investigating the incident, which occurred in High Street shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve.

The victims, from Honiton, were attacked after they attempted to break up a violent argument between another man and woman.

The arguing pair, plus another woman, assaulted the female victim outside Costa Coffee and the man outside the war memorial.

The 41-year-old man suffered serious injuries including broken ribs and the 40-year-old woman sustained black eyes.

Officers are seeking three suspects, two women and a man. The man is said to be around 6ft tall with dark hair and one of the women had long black hair.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting KH/12/950.