An acid attack victim and her boyfriend were followed by attackers shortly before the men threw a unknown substance in her face leaving her with severe burns as part of a 'targeted assault'.

The attack happened outside Turtle Bay bar in Southampton at around 9pm on Friday night and left the woman with 'severe burns' to her face, neck, back and arms.

Police have now revealed that the victim had been deliberately sought out by the men as part of a 'targeted assault'.

The attack happened outside Turtle Bay bar in Southampton around 9pm last night

Shocked eyewitnesses said the woman's face 'began to melt' as a result of the assault outside the Caribbean restaurant in the city centre.

A Hampshire Police spokesman said today : 'Police are now treating this rare and isolated incident as a targeted assault against the woman.

'The woman, who was taken to Southampton General Hospital with significant burns to her face, neck and arms, remains in hospital.

'Police are grateful to the public for the information provided about this incident. A dedicated team of detectives continue to follow up all lines of inquiries.'

A clear-up operation was needed as half a pint of acid was left on the pavement after the attack

The woman, who had long, brown hair, was on a night out with her partner when around 200ml of the liquid was hurled into her face in Guildhall Square.

Some of the acid also landed on a doorman's jacket and burnt through to his skin.

Staff at Turtle Bay, a Caribbean restaurant, described how the woman, who was wearing a black top and black leggings, screamed in agony when the liquid touched her.

A male bar worker said: 'The acid was in her whole face and eyes - she's probably going to be blinded.

'Her face looked like it was melting; it was quite clear there was a lot of damage. It happened just outside next to our outdoor tables and smoking area. She said it was two men.

'She was with a partner but they weren't guests of the bar, so we never found out their names.

'Our doorman was splashed with the acid, it landed on his leather jacket and burnt a hole in it, reaching the skin.

'The acid burnt right through her leggings. It was awful.'

Police and firefighters were called to the scene and an area outside the bar was cordoned off as they underwent their investigations

Assistant manager Adrian Rodgers, 27, who treated the woman for 10 minutes before paramedics arrived, described her injuries as 'horrendous'.

Mr Rodgers said: 'I was collecting glasses and had just opened the door to go to tables outside when she started screaming and her boyfriend ran over with her for help.

'She was in tremendous pain and the burns were horrendous - I have never seen anything like it.

'I was constantly rinsing her face and mouth with cold, iced water and applying burn packs but they only soothed her temporarily.

'Her face was blistering badly. It was so severe you couldn't tell what she really looked like or how old she was.

'She was slumped on the floor and being held by her boyfriend who seemed to be in a state of shock. She could not see and her breathing was steady but very shallow.

After receiving first aid by bar staff, the woman was taken to Southampton General Hospital. Pictured is police at the scene

'We did the best we could. When the paramedics turned up they said we had done the right things and within 30 seconds they had rushed her off to hospital.

'Police said they would be studying the council's CCTV footage.'

Police and firefighters were called to the scene shortly after 9pm on Friday night and set up a cordon outside the restaurant while they investigated.

The woman was rushed to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance as firefighters used a hose reel to wash around a quarter of a pint of acid from the pavement.

Officers are now analysing CCTV footage caught by nearby security cameras

The owners of Turtle bay released a statement which read: 'There was an incident involving an attack on a female in the central public area of Guildhall Square last night.

'The lady was not a customer of Turtle Bay, however, the manager on duty provided immediate assistance and emergency first aid whilst the emergency services were called.

'When they arrived they immediately took her to hospital to continue her treatment. We hope that she makes a full and speedy recovery from the incident.'

Hampshire Police today responded to speculation in the local community by insisting that the woman was not the victim of 'an honour attack'.

Spokesman Julie Knight said: 'The victim is white and officers investigating the cases are not treating this as an attack based on ethnicity or culture.

'It is not an honour attack.'

Although the woman is believed to have known her assailant, police have yet to make an arrest or release a description of anyone they are looking for in connection with the horrific crime.