A MAN was slashed in the face with a blade in his own back garden.

The attack happened at about 6pm on Sunday in the back garden of a house in Faringdon Road.

Prior to the assault, three men who live in the house were stopped from leaving the property by the attacker's accomplices.

The trio were inside their garage at the back of the house when the two suspects walked in and stopped them from leaving.

A third suspect then entered the garden and assaulted the victim, who lives at the address. The attack took place just outside the patio doors of the house. It is believed the three suspects entered the back garden from an alleyway.

As a result of the assault, the 22-year-old victim suffered a head injury and a deep cut to his face, believed to have been caused by a knife. He went to the Great Western Hospital, where he was treated and released.

All three suspects then fled via the rear alleyway, which runs parallel with Faringdon Road.

Detective Constable Steve Thorpe, of Swindon CID, said: "At this stage of the investigation there appears to be no motive for the nasty assault and I make a plea for anyone with information to come forward. We believe the cut was made with a Stanley knife or a modelling knife as it was a straight, clean cut."

The first suspect was white, in his mid-20s, 5ft 8ins, of slim build, wearing a dark, hooded sweater with the hood up, a black woollen hat and a black scarf with a thin grey line on it.

The second man was of Asian or mixed race, in his mid 20s, 5ft 6ins, of stocky build, wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up, grey sports-type trousers, a dark woollen hat and a scarf.

The third man was slim and wore a dark beanie style hat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Thorpe of Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.