A man has been charged after a woman in her 20s suffered 'life changing' injuries when a corrosive liquid – believed to be acid – was sprayed in her face during an assault in the Pakefield area of Lowestoft.

Police tonight charged Leon Thompson, 38, of Alma Road in the town, with throwing a corrosive fluid with intent to disfigure, and cause grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning.

Earlier, a second man, aged 25, was arrested in Lowestoft this afternoon for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm and was taken to the Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning. He remained in custody tonight.

Police were called to London Road South in Pakefield at 8.20am on Thursday by the ambulance service, with a report that a woman had received facial injuries after having a corrosive liquid squirted in her face from a bottle.

A police spokesman said the victim had suffered serious injuries to her face, neck and chest and would remain in hospital for a number of days. Police have been continuing with their inquiries and have been searching the area for the sports-type bottle, possibly a Lucozade bottle, which was used in the attack.

Officers fear the bottle may still contain some of the corrosive substance and are reminding people not to pick up any discarded bottles in the area of London Road South, The Avenue and Kirkley Cemetery, but call police on 101 instead.

Two bottles matching this description have been recovered by police and have been sent off for forensic testing. A police spokesman said it had not yet been ascertained whether either was the offending bottle.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call Lowestoft CID on 101 quoting crime reference LO/14/4110 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Have you got a Lowestoft story? Email kathryn.bradley@archant.co.uk