POLICE are probing a serious assault which happened in Greenock in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

A man was knocked unconscious after being hit during an incident at the taxi rank on Dalrymple Street, just outside Word Up.

The incident happened at 3am and officers now want to speak to people who saw it take place.

They are also examining CCTV footage.

Detective Stuart Young of Greenock CID said: “There appears to have been an incident at the taxi rank and a 39-year-old male was punched by a suspect.

“He fell to the ground and was partially unconscious for a period of time.

“He sustained facial injuries which required the insertion of stitches and was later discharged from Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

“We are appealing for people who were there at the time to contact us on 101.”