Police have apologised to a man savagely attacked while working at a private party for the time it has taken to investigate the assault.

Sanjeev Subramaniam, 40, accused police of ignoring the attack in Kingswood, which left him with permanent scars and almost blind.

He was glassed in the face at a luxury house in Sandy Lane after he intervened when a group of men beat up a man who complained about racist jokes being made.

Detective Chief Inspector Neville Blackwood said: "I would like to apologise to Mr Subramaniam for the delay in investigating the horrific assault which he has suffered and which was reported to Surrey Police in April.

"Unfortunately, something seems to have gone wrong in this instance, which has led to a delay to our investigation, and this is now the subject of an urgent review."

The victim claims it was only following the intervention of an MP that Surrey Police took a statement from him two months after the attack on April 8.

The sports therapist was helping a friend who was in charge of catering at the party, attended by 150 guests in a garden marquee.

Mr Subramaniam, whose family originated from Sri Lanka, is appalled at the treatment he received from police after the attack and blamed the fact he is not white.

"I have taken up his complaint with the police about the manner of the investigation."

"I had half my face hanging off, you could see my cheekbone and I was covered in blood. A policeman came up and said If you want to leave it at that, we'll leave it at that'.

"I thought they would take it more seriously. Even the paramedic looked shocked".

He was taken to St Helier Hospital and then to St George's where more than 50 stitches were put in his wounds before he was discharged.

He later returned to hospital for plastic surgery and may have to undergo further operations.

After two months of police inaction Mr Subramaniam, who comes from Sutton, contacted Paul Burstow MP, who then insisted police investigate the case.

"The injuries were horrific," said Mr Burstow. "I have taken up his complaint with the police about the manner of the investigation.

"It lacked a sense of focus and any real drive and determination to uncover who was responsible."

DCI Blackwood added: "We are committed to bringing offenders to justice, and we take all allegations of crime extremely seriously.

"An investigation into the assault which Mr Subramaniam suffered is progressing and active lines of enquiry are being pursued.

"We are grateful for the support of Mr Subramaniam and his family, and we will be keeping in close contact with him and his family as the case goes forward."

By Helen Crane