POLICE are appealing for information after it was reported a man was assaulted in Basildon on Christmas Eve.

The victim was standing outside the Noak Bridge pub in Wash Road between 6pm and 7pm on Tuesday, 24 December when two men asked for a cigarette. 

When he refused the victim says the men attacked him. One held him, while the second punched him repeatedly in the face.

The suspects are described as white men aged in their late 20s or early 30s.

The victim, aged in his 20s, needed hospital treatment for serious injuries to his face.

A police statement says: "Anyone with information on this incident should contact us as soon as possible. Please quote incident number 42/192637/24 when contacting us.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."