A man was in hospital last night after receiving a beating at a Hamilton night spot during the first few hours of the New Year.

The 33-year-old Devonshire man, believed to be a prison officer, received a head wound, broken nose and lacerations above an eye, as well as a severely bruised eye, during the disturbance at Club 40 on Front Street.

Police attended the scene in the early hours to find the man leaning against a wall. The wound to his head was bleeding profusely.

He was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he was on a general ward in a stable condition last night.

A full Police investigation is underway, and anyone with information should call Police on 295-0011.

And a man was stabbed during New year festivities at the Clay House Inn in the early hours yesterday.

Police attended the nightclub on North Shore Road in Devonshire, soon after 2 a.m.after reports of a disturbance.

However, the knife victim declined Police assistance and involvement, so no investigation has been launched.