A SHOCKED passer-by ran to the rescue of a pensioner after watching a gang of teenagers punch and kick him to the floor.

The dad-of-one, who did not want to be named, was driving along Long Riding, Basildon, at about 9pm when he spotted a group of youths gathered around a man believed to be in his late sixties.

Sensing something was wrong, the driver turned around after reaching the row of shops on the corner of Timberlog Lane.

As he moved closer, he saw the 12-strong gang suddenly jump on the pensioner.

The 40-year-old, who lives off Hockley Road, in Basildon, said: "I came out of my turning and I saw a group of kids walking along Long Riding, they were about 12 to 17 years old.

"I saw this old guy in amongst the crowd and he looked about 60-plus.

"I was driving past and I went down to the chip shop and turned around - I just knew something was about to happen.

"By the time I turned around, the old man had been punched to the floor and they were continuing to punch and kick him."

The good samaritan told the Echo he ran out of his car towards the teenagers to confront them.

He said: "I was on the phone to 999 at the same time. I said 'what's going on here then?' and they dispersed.

"The old man got up and he looked like a vulnerable pensioner. One punch could have killed him. That's what I was worried about."

He believes that more youth clubs should be opened across the borough to give teenagers a place to go and keep them off the streets and out of trouble.

The eyewitness said that the 60-year-old man slowly walked off along Long Riding after Sunday's assault, and had disappeared by the time police arrived.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Police were called at 9.15pm to reports a group of youths were seen assaulting an elderly man in Long Riding, Basildon, near the junction with Hockley Road.

"There were about 12 youths, believed to be aged between 12 and 17. The caller said the youths and the victim had already left the scene.

"Police attended and made enquiries but there was no trace of those involved."

No arrests have been made and enquiries are continuing.

It is not thought that the teenagers stole anything from the pensioner.

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.