THREE people have been charged after a 24-year-old man was seriously assaulted in Hereford.

Blackthorn Close, Belmont was cordoned off by police officers after the assault, which is thought to have happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

West Mercia Police say detectives investigating the incidient have charged 27-year-old Damien Kidley of River View, Ross on Wye, 22-year-old Kara McManus of Whitecross Road, Hereford and 18-year-old Berdardus Goodall of no fixed address with section 18 assault and robbery.

The three people charged were due to appear at Kidderminster Magistrates Court this morning (Friday).

Two further people were arrested as part of the investigation, a police spokesperson added.

A 17-year-old man from Hereford on suspicion of assault and robbery and has been released under investigation, and a 60-year-old man from Ross-on-Wye has been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.