A MAN remains in a critical condition after two thugs armed with a bat and axe forced their way into his home and attacked him.

Police were called around 1am this morning with reports that two men had forced entry into an address on York Road, Southend and seriously assaulted a man.

It was reported that the two men were armed with a bat and an axe.

They were said to be looking for money but left without taking anything.

The victim, a man aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries to his head and remains in hospital in a stable, but critical condition.

Police would like to speak to anyone who lives nearby and has a doorbell camera or CCTV or was driving in the area between 12.30am and 1.30am and has dash cam footage.

They would also like to speak to those who were in the area around the time and heard or saw any suspicious or unusual behaviour.

Contact Southend CID by visiting www.essex.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ referencing incident 42 of 3 July, or call 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555111.