A man has been sprayed in the face with a noxious substance.

wing an assault in Leigh where a man was sprayed in the face with a noxious substance.

The victim, a man in his 20s, was assaulted inside a property in Danbury Close at around 12pm today.

During the attack he was sprayed in the face with a substance which is believed to have been ammonia.

The victim has suffered injuries to his face and has been taken to hospital for treatment.

The man has been described to us as white, in his 50s, 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, clean shaven and with shaved grey hair.

He was wearing a light coloured t-shirt and light blue jeans.

We also want to trace distinctive van seen outside the property at the time.

It is described as an army-style van, with a light-brown coloured camouflage pattern, and images of soldiers, guns and naked women on.

Detective Inspector David Miles said: “This was a nasty incident but I want to reassure the public that attacks like these are very rare.

“We believe it was a targeted attack and there is no risk to the wider public.”

If you recognise the man described or the van do not approach them but contact Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.