A MAN had part of his ear bitten off during a brawl in Deeside.

The attack happened near the Custom House pub on High Street, Connah’s Quay, which was closer at the time of the incidentin the early hours of Sunday.

The 24-year-old victim from Shotton was taken by ambulance to the Countess of Chester Hospital.

A 25-year-old man from Flint was arrested and later released on police bail.

The assault follows a sickening trend in the region during recent months.

Last September, a 19-year-old from Wrexham underwent emergency surgery after his ear was bitten off during a savage city centre fight in Chester.

And last month, a man was sentenced for two-and-a-half years in prison biting off part of a man’s ear.

At the time of the hearing at Mold Crown Court, Judge Niclas Parry said: “Biting of the ear is far too common. For some reason, it is now considered as one of the ways of inflicting injuries.

“Anyone who does that must realise that the consequences can be quite horrific.”

Cllr Bernie Attridge, chairman of the licensing committee at Flintshire Council, is urging people to act responsibly on nights out.

“Someone has had their ear bitten off. What next, they are stabbed to death?”

A spokesman for Punch Taverns which lease the Custom House pub, said: "We would like to stress that the Custom House Hotel has no connection to the incident which took place on Saturday night.

"Our understanding is that it took place on the main road and not on the grounds of the pub, which was closed at the time.

"We would like to reassure customers that the Custom House continues to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all."

A spokesman for the ambulance service confirmed a call was received from police at 1.49am.

Det Sgt Craig Turner said police were called to the hotel just before 2am on Sunday and a man was arrested for biting the top off another man’s ear.

He said a man has been released on police bail while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.