A 30-year-old man has been bailed following a hammer attack on a man that left him hospitalised.

The 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in New Malden High Street on Saturday afternoon, and has been bailed to return to a police station in early January.

The victim of the attack outside Tesco Express, just after 3.30pm, was taken to hospital in a critical condition with serious head injuries, a police spokesman had said at the time.

He is now in a "stable but serious condition" in hospital according to a Metropolitan Police spokesman.

Hours after the attack Kingston police tweeted: "We are pleased to say that the victim of the earlier assault in New Malden is being treated for minor injuries."

One witness said he saw a police officer taking away a hammer before putting it into a bag.

An air ambulance landed in nearby Beverley Park after the attack.

The Tesco Express was closed early and taped off by police tape at the weekend.