HAIRDRESSER and Tory politician Terry Smith told today how he was badly beaten up by two men as he was cutting a customer's hair at his salon.

Terry, of Heworth, who stood for the Conservative Party at Osbaldwick in last May's City of York Council elections, said he suffered a broken nose, a fractured cheekbone and a swollen eye during the attack, and may require surgery.

Terry said his salon, Classic Cutz in Fourth Avenue, Tang Hall, had been full of customers when the incident happened. "I was just cutting someone's hair," he said.

"I had nearly finished and had my clippers in my hand and a comb, and then I just looked up to see these guys walk in. I thought they were customers. One of them said a word - I can't remember what it was - and the next thing I knew I was chinned.

"I was knocked unconscious and fell to the ground, and lay in a pool of blood until paramedics arrived. I think the attackers stamped on my head."

He said his nose injuries might include two breaks, and he had suffered a hairline fracture of his cheekbone and would have to visit a facial surgery consultant at York Hospital later this month.

"Fortunately, I have been told that my eye isn't seriously damaged.

"I am appalled and disgusted that this has happened and I hope that the police can bring those responsible to justice. I have no idea why this attack happened.

"I would like to thank everyone who has assisted me, including the paramedics, staff at York Hospital and The Press for helping police investigate this matter.

"I hope the people that have perpetrated this crime are brought to justice so I am able to carry on serving the public in the way I have for a long time. It's not pleasant to be seriously injured while you are trying to carry out your job."

He said his salon had closed after the incident, but had now reopened.

Speaking of people's reaction to the attack, he said: "Everybody has been saying to me: "Were you a sparring partner for Ricky Hatton?!"

Terry, well known around York for sporting a white jacket, said the spilt blood would not mean a new look, as he had several spares and would continue to wear one.

North Yorkshire Police today appealed for witnesses to the incident to contact them on 0845 60 60 247.

A spokesman said two unknown men had come in and punched Terry in the face before leaving the premises.

He said both men were white and aged about 30, with cropped dark brown hair.

One was about 5ft, 10ins tall, and was wearing a dark jacket and dark jeans. The other was about 6ft tall. He said the incident was still under investigation and no one had yet been arrested.