AN elderly tourist suffered a serious head injury when he was repeatedly hit on the head with a rock near York Minster.

A man aged 43 from ­Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, was held on ­suspicion of ­attempted ­murder after the attack.

Detectives say the 78-year-old South African tourist was hit in the Minster Yard area of the cathedral grounds.

Witnesses called 999 and the injured man was taken to York District ­Hospital where he was treated for the head injury and a wound to one of his hands. His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening and he has now been released.

Detective Inspector Ian Dyer, of York CID, said: "This appears to be an unprovoked attack on an elderly man who was enjoying an evening of sightseeing in York."

He ­appealed for ­witnesses to Friday night's attack.