A MAN has been attacked with a meat cleaver in Southend.

The 32-year-old was at the junction of Arnold Avenue and Manilla Road, when he was approached by three men armed with the cleaver and a baseball bat.

He was struck across the head with the cleaver causing a 1.5ins cut.

He was then was struck on the forearm with the baseball bat, causing bruising.

It happened at about 7pm on Monday, May 7 and police are now appealing for witnesses.

The suspects were seen to get in to a dark blue or purple Ford Fiesta which was parked in Arnold Avenue and made off towards the seafront.

The first suspect is described as a dark-skinned man of mixed race, aged early to mid twenties, 6ft tall, slim athletic build, with facial stubble, short dark cropped hair, wearing dark jumper and jeans.

The second suspect is a white man, in his late teens or early twenties, 5ft 7ins tall, medium build, dark hair, clean shaven, wearing a white hooded top.

Tthe third man was of mixed race, 5ft 7ins tall, slimmer than the other two, approx 18-years-old wearing dark coloured jumper.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Ruth Cordey at the Southend Serious Crime Team on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.