A MAN who was attacked by a gang in Westcliff said he feared he would be run over after he was left injured in the middle of a road.

Scott Novis has spoken of how he was viciously attacked outside the Cricketers pub, in Westcliff, and left in the path of oncoming traffic.

He had been walking to the nearby Mac Mart newsagent to get some cigarettes when he had to negotiate his way through a group of four men.

They shouted at him “You’ve got five seconds to get out of here” before they began kicking him in the head.

The force of their blows knocked him into the busy London Road, forcing a small silver car to brake to a halt in front of him.

Mr Novis, 34, who lives in Leigh, said: “I had my arms over my head and was curled up in the foetal position. I remember seeing this car at the lights and hearing the brakes go on. I can’t remember whether it skidded or screeched.

“I think maybe that’s what scared them off because I honestly don’t believe if that car hadn’t pulled up they would have stopped.”

He managed to stagger into the Cricketers pub where he was tended to until an ambulance arrived. He had blood pouring from his ears and was badly bruised.

“I’m a delivery driver and I normally work in London,” he said. “With my injured leg, driving a van with a clutch and lifting car batteries all day isn’t going to work.

“The doctor’s told me he thinks I’ve ruptured a muscle where they’ve kicked it or stamped on it. I couldn’t even stand on it for two days.”

Police want to speak to the driver of the silver car about the fight, which happened on the night of Saturday, September 18.

They have also put posters up in the Cricketers pub where the four attackers are believed to have spent the evening.

They are white and aged between 19 and 25 with Essex or London accents. One was 6ft tall, slim, and clean shaven with black short spiky hair.

He wore a dark striped smart black shirt with black trousers. The second was 5ft 8ins, was clean shaven with mousy coloured short hair and was wearing a smart blue shirt. Another was medium build and possibly wearing a light coloured shirt. The last was 5ft 9ins tall with blond hair and was wearing a white shirt.

Anyone with information can call PC James Edmunds at Southend police station on 0300 3334444.