Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault in which a man was a struck with a hammer.

The 33-year-old from Tilbury was carrying out building work on a driveway in Church Street, Billericay, when two men approached him at 5pm on Thursday, May 14.

They assaulted him with a hammer and an unknown tool before leaving in a dark car.

The victim was taken to hospital and suffered cuts and a fracture to his head, a fractured elbow, which required surgery, and bruising.

Both suspects were described as white, aged in their early 20s and of stocky build.

Dc Emma Henderson at Basildon CID said: "Church Street is a busy main road and the incident was during rush hour, so there may have been drivers or passers-by who saw what happened or saw the vehicle before or after the assault.”

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call Dc Henderson on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org