A man is in hospital with three fractured ribs and a small puncture to his lung after he was attacked with a scaffolding pole last night.

He was hit outside an address in Bluebell Drive, Bedmond, at around 11pm, in an incident where police believe those involved knew each other.

The suspect is described as black, around 5ft 10in tall, with short hair, and athletic build.

An air ambulance landed in a field nearby but the man was taken to hospital by ambulance.

He has sustained three fractured ribs, a wrist fracture, a laceration to the top of his head and a small puncture to the lung. He is in a stable condition.

The victim's house keys and car keys were stolen.

There was a heavy police presence in the street last night and the address remained cordoned off this morning.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Rickmansworth Local Crime Unit on 101, quoting crime reference 41/46056/19.