A Somerset farmer needed his head stapled after a dog walker threw a rock at his face.

Christopher Pine, a 70-year-old farmer was working ground in a field in Creech St Michael on Saturday, May 7.

A young man walking a Staffordshire bull terrier shouted at him before then hurling a rock at Christopher's face.

The man ran off with his dog, leaving Christopher with nasty lacerations to his head that needed staples.

The incident began when the young man threw dirt at the Christopher's tractor before telling him not to plough the footpath - which the farmer had no intention of doing.

The police and the Pine family are appealing for help from the public with identifying the man.

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Christopher's daughter-in-law, Hannah, shared the shocking incident on social media.

She wrote: "My father in law was working ground in a field in Creech behind the funeral directors and has had a rock thrown at his face after a dog walker shouted at him and ran off.

"Young man, mid-thirties, dark haired on the sides and back but losing hair on top, slight build, wearing shorts and walking with blue grey Staffordshire bull terrier.

"If you know this man or recognise him please contact the police on 101.

"He (Christopher) is OK and had some staples.

"What kind of person throws a rock at someone’s face - disgusted."

The police have already carried out house-to-house enquiries in the area.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We’re investigating after a rock was thrown at a man driving a tractor in a field in Creech St Michael.

“The rock struck the tractor driver on the head resulting in an injury which required hospital treatment.

“The incident happened at around 6pm on Saturday, 7 May.

“The offender ran off after throwing the rock.

“He’s described as white, aged in his 30s who was almost bald. He wore a black top and shorts and had a grey Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog with him.

“House to house enquiries have been carried out and we’re appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who recognises the description of the offender to contact us on 101 quoting reference 5222108016.”