ESSEX police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following an assault in Braintree town centre.

At around 10:15pm on Saturday June 25 a man was hit from behind and kicked several times on his head and body in Leather Lane, Braintree by two unknown suspects, shortly after leaving a nearby public house. Passers by walking along Leather Lane saw the assault taking place and the suspects, described as two white men, ran off.

The victim sustained facial injuries including losing two teeth and requiring stitches to the inside of his lip.

There are still several outstanding witnesses to the assault and they are asked to contact Dc Chris Leslie at CID in Braintree on 0300 3334444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111