A MAN was rushed to hospital after being brutally attacked in Greenock.
The incident occurred outside the Tesco petrol station in Laird Street shortly before 4am this morning.
Detectives say a 20-year-old man was punched in the face as he tried to break up a fight between three men.
He was taken to hospital where he received stitches for a deep cut to his lip, which will leave him scarred for life.
Detective Sergeant Neil Martin of Greenock Police said they are treating the incident as a serious assault and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
He said: "At around 3.47 am this morning, outside the Tesco filling station in Laird Street, there was an initial altercation involving three males.
"A 20-year-old male intervened to try and split up the fight and in the process, he was struck to the face where he received a one centimetre cut to his upper right lip.
"He was conveyed to Inverclyde Royal Hospital and received stitches and was later released.
"This will leave permanent scarring and is being treated as a serious assault."
DS Martin and his team are now reviewing CCTV and are urging anyone with information to contact the Police.
He added: "We are currently reviewing CCTV in relation to the incident.
"We are also appealing for any witnesses to get in touch who may have seen this altercation with the three males."
Anyone with information should phone Police on 101 or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.