A young man had a glass smashed into his face for holding hands with his boyfriend in an unprovoked homophobic attack at a Wetherspoon pub.

The victim, a 23-year-old man, was attacked at the Kentish Drovers pub in Peckham late on Sunday evening, police said.

A witness told the Standard that the attacker became aggressive towards the victim and his boyfriend when he saw that they were holding hands.

He approached the couple and smashed a glass into the victim’s face, the witness said.

Scotland Yard confirmed that the attack was being treated as a homophobic hate crime.

Police and paramedics raced to the scene after being called to an assault at the pub in the high street at about 10.30pm.

The suspect had fled when officers arrived at the venue, according to a witness.

Officers said the injured man was taken to a central London hospital for treatment to facial injuries. No-one has been arrested.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating an assault on a 23-year-old man at a pub in Peckham High Street.

“Officers and the London Ambulance Service were called on Sunday, March 5 at around 10.30pm to the venue.

“The victim was taken to an central London hospital for treatment for facial injuries after being assaulted with a glass.

“There have been no arrests and enquiries continue. The incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime.”

A Wetherspoon spokesman said: “This was an unprovoked horrendous attack on a customer at the pub.

“The victim went to hospital for treatment following the attack and we wish him a speedy recovery.

“Staff at the pub have reviewed the CCTV and identified the assailant and have passed on the information to the police.

“We will continue to assist the police in any way possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.