Three men suffered head and facial injuries, including a slash wound, during brawls in Wellington today.

Violence erupted in the town’s Church Street and Station Road areas at 1.30am.

The first calls made reported an injured person in Church Street but when ambulance crews arrived there was nobody there.

Then at 1.35am paramedics were called to The Parade where a man in his 20s with a facial injury was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital.

Six minutes later another crew went to Church Street where a second man in his 20s with hand injuries was discovered. Following a total of eight calls, paramedics went back to the town at 1.57am where a man in his 20s, also with a hand injury, was taken to hospital.

Detectives said one of the injured men had a serious “slash wound” to his face. He remained in hospital this afternoon. Detectives are trying to find out what started the violence.CCTV footage will be studied in the hope of piecing together the men’s movements.

Detective Inspector Steve Tonks, of Telford CID, said: “Three men have received head and facial injuries, one of whom has been detained in hospital with what appears to be a slash wound to his face.

“What we do know is that an 18-year-old man has received a serious facial injury and I would like to ask that any person who saw this incident or has knowledge of it to contact Telford police on 0300 333 3000 or via Crimestoppers on 0845 555111.”

Three people were arrested in connection with the attacks and were being quizzed at Telford’s Malinsgate Police Station this afternoon.