A man has been arrested in connection with an attack

on a woman at a Stow-on-the-Wold bookshop.

The 49-year-old woman was found unconscious and covered in

blood at WychWood secondhand and antiquarian bookshop in Sheep

Street at around 12.30pm on Saturday.

It is believed she was attacked with a hammer.

A 54-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

The woman was discovered in a pool of blood by a man passing

by who alerted nearby shopkeeper Christine Heath of Cotswold

Flowers.

Police and ambulance rushed to the scene.

The woman, believed to be from Stow and a Saturday worker at

the shop, was taken to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, suffering

from serious head injuries.

Today, her condition was described as 'stable'.

Police are still waiting to interview her.

A Gloucestershire police spokesman said: "A 54-year-old man

was arrested on suspicion of assault at 2.30pm on Sunday from

his home at Wyck Hill, near Stow.

"He is in custody at Stroud police station and being

questioned.

"The woman victim is not well enough to talk to police at

the moment.

"We urge anyone with information to come forward."

The bookshop, run by brother and sister Henry and Lucy

Baggott, is still cordoned off by police officers.

Anyone with any information should call Gloucestershire

Police on 0845 090 1234.