A MAN has been arrested after a fourteen-year-old boy was hospitalised in an attack near a primary school this afternoon.

The teenager was "seriously assaulted" in the Roman Way area of Andover and suffered cuts to his face and neck, police have confirmed.

However, Hampshire Constabulary said that his wounds were not life-threatening.

A 40-year-old man from Andover has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and is currently in police custody.

It comes after a major police presence in the area just after 3pm.

Residents reported seeing the air ambulance and police helicopter hovering around the area.

Police are working to establish the exact circumstances and a spokesperson said they cannot elaborate on the incident at this time.

A spokesperson said: "We were called at 3.17pm today (Tuesday 20 July) to a report that a 14-year-old boy had been seriously assaulted in the Roman Way area of Andover.

"The victim has been taken to hospital with cuts to his face and neck. They are not thought to be life-threatening.

"A 40-year-old man from Andover has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent and is currently in police custody.

"Officers are establishing the circumstances of what took place and will remain in the area to carry out enquiries.

"If you have any information about what happened, please call 101 quoting the reference number 44210286966."

Police officers remain at the scene on Tuesday evening as they continue to conduct enquiries.

A house near the junction of Roman Way and Viking Way remains cordoned off.

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service added: "We were called today at 15:15 to Viking Way, Andover to a situation involving a teenage male.

"We sent to the scene two ambulance crews, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and an ambulance officer who were treating the teenager for potentially serious injuries.

"Following treatment at the scene by all our crews the patient was taken to hospital by ambulance."

One nearby resident, Mrs Bedford, 83, told the Advertiser: "I'd heard a helicopter flying around, but I didn't see or hear anything. I didn't know anything had happened until a friend called me after she'd seen some posts on Facebook.

"It's terrifying and frightening, but hopefully it will sort itself out"