A store manager has told how he had part of his ear bitten off when he confronted two shoplifters in Bristol.

Tristram Turner gave chase after the men stole fours cans of lager and a bottle of cider from the Tesco Express store in Totterdown.

His two attackers were caught on the store's CCTV camera when they walked in, one wearing a distinctive yellow top and other in a green hooded top.

They went into the Oxford Street store shortly after it opened at 7am on Sunday and helped themselves to a four-pack of Budweiser and a two-litre bottle of Strongbow, worth about £7.

A checkout assistant alerted duty manager Mr Turner as they ran out without paying.

The 26-year-old, who has worked at the store for just four months, gave chase and caught up with one of them within 200 metres. He confronted him in nearby Stevens Crescent.

The other shoplifter, who had run on ahead, came back and the pair punched and kicked Mr Turner as he attempted to wrestle back the stolen alcohol.

The thief wearing the yellow top then bit Mr Turner's right ear, ripping off part of it. He spat it out before the pair then ran off towards Victoria Park.

On seeing what had happened, a resident in the street raised the alarm and paramedics took Mr Turner to hospital.

Mr Turner said: "I didn't think twice about running after them. I've done it before and caught people. I'm not sure I'll be so quick to do it next time though.

"There was blood everywhere and all I really remember is him spitting out part of ear. I've never seen either of them in the shop before. I can't believe the level of violence over £7 worth of alcohol."

Mr Turner, who lives in Fishponds, had the two-inch section of his ear reattached by specialist doctors at Frenchay Hospital. He had now been sent home and doctors will know by next week if the skin graft has taken.

Mr Turner said: "The doctors don't know yet if it will reattach itself. They've stitched it back on and now it's just a case of hoping for the best."

The store, open 7am to 10pm every day, normally has a security guard posted on its doors during the evening.

Police have released a CCTV image (pictured above) of the two men in a bid to catch them and last night appealed to anyone who knows them to get in touch.

The first offender was about 22 years old and 5ft 10in tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a yellow jumper and blue jeans.

The second attacker was aged about 20 and had short ginger hair. He was wearing a green hooded top with a leaf pattern on it.

A Tesco spokesman declined to comment because of the police investigation.

Anyone with information about the Bristol attack should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.