POLICE are appealing for information or witnesses to an assault in Basildon in the early hours of the morning.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called at around 2.30 am today (Sunday, 30 May) following reports of a man believed to be unconscious outside Unit 7, Festival Leisure Park.

"The victim, a man aged 20s, had intervened between two men who were having an argument – a friend and an unknown man.

"The unknown man then punched the victim on the side of the head causing the victim to fall to the ground.

"He sustained a serious head injury and was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

"The suspect was last seen running near the Holiday Inn. He is described as a short, white man with tattoos and aged in his 30s. He was wearing a blue jacket."

PC Alex Franklin, investigating said: "The Festival Leisure Park was busy and there were lots of people in the area around this time. I want anyone who saw what happened to contact us today, if possible."

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 142 of 30 May.

You can submit a report online at [L]https://www.essex.police.uk [L+] where yiu can use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am and 11pm.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.