A Bristol pub landlord has lost the sight in his right eye after he was hit in the face with a missile thrown by a teenager.

It happened on September 19 outside The Star in Frampton Cotterell, run by victim Ricky Townsend.

The Evening Post reported last month that Mr Townsend's eyeball had been sliced open in the attack and he underwent a four-hour operation within hours of the injury in a bid to save his sight.

But he remained blind in that eye and surgeons at Bristol Eye Hospital operated again last Wednesday.

Afterwards he was given the devastating news that there was nothing they could do.

Mr Townsend, 41, said: "I've still got my eye but they said that in time I may have to have a glass one. They tried their best but they couldn't do anything to save my sight."

Mr Townsend was in the bar of his pub chatting to friends when a teenager came in at about 12.30am on September 19, asking for cigarettes.

The landlord pointed out the cigarette machine to him but the youth then became abusive and started swearing.

Mr Townsend's friend Kevin Reid stepped in to his defence and then the lad challenged the men to a fight.

The teenager and a youth who was with him ran outside followed by Mr Reid, who chased them along Church Road.

Mr Townsend followed Mr Reid outside and one of them threw something at him, which hit him in the face. Mr Reid had also been hit and the youths were kicking him as he lay on the ground.

The landord's eye was pouring with blood and he was taken to hospital where he was told his eye had been sliced in half.

The incident and terrible injury he suffered has shaken his confidence.

He is still suffering headaches and his wife Sue, 54, has been running the pub since it happened.

Mr Townsend said: "I've been thinking about packing it in."

He had never before had any trouble at the village pub, which he has run for the past four years.

Last night, Mr Reid, who has recovered from the injuries he received, was going to visit his friend for the first time since the incident.

Two teenagers suspected of carrying out the attack are in custody after they were arrested for two unrelated serious offences.

But police are keen to speak to anyone they have not yet interviewed who saw the incident or who has information about it.

Detective Constable Peter Walker said: "This was a very serious offence which left Mr Townsend with an appalling injury which will affect him for the rest of his life. He has been blinded in one eye and we need to keep those responsible off our streets. We have taken a number of statements from witnesses but there may be other people we have not yet spoken to who have information."

Anyone with more details can call DC Walker at Staple Hill police station on 0845 4567000.