A man is in a serious condition in hospital after been slashed by a machete in a daylight attack in Hamilton on Saturday.

The victim, who is 33 and from Paget, was attacked by another man who used the machete to cut his hands, forearms and top of his head.

Police were called to Court Street near its junction with Angle Street at 5.30 p.m. after reports of a disturbance, but they could not find the assailant, who is believed to be a 37-year-old Pembroke man.

The victim was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by a member of the public where his condition was last night said to be "stable" in the intensive care unit. The man's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Police are actively hunting down the suspect and have appealed for any witnesses to the incident, or anyone with information, to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 299-4315 or 295-0011.