A GROUP of thugs fractured a man's skull in an unprovoked attack. 

The 20-year-old victim was on his way home from Churchill's bar in Southend when he was approached by the group of men in the early hours of Monday. 

They knocked him to the floor and continued to punch and kick him. 

The victim, who lives locally, managed to make his way home but was admitted to hospital on Friday when his condition worsened. 

Doctors found that he had a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain. 

The man’s family reported the incident to police on Friday and an investigation is being carried out by officers at Southend CID.

DI Jon Burgess said: "The man was viciously attacked in the area of the old B&Q building and Connexions Office near Short Street.

"We do not have the precise time of the incident but it could have been between 1am to 3am. This seems to have been an unprovoked and particularly cowardly attack by a group of men.

"We want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time who can give us more information about the incident.”

Anyone who can help should call DI Burgess or his colleagues on 101 extension 470217 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.