A MAN was pushed to the floor and subjected to a volley of punches and kicks during a racist gang assault.

The 34-year-old victim, of Afro-Carribean descent, was walking along The Broadway, in Loughton, when a group of teenagers racially abused him before knocking him to the ground.

During the assault the man tried to call police on his mobile phone but his phone was knocked out of his hand and stamped on by one of the youths.

The gang ran off leaving the man to stumble to his nearby home where his girlfriend raised the alarm.

He suffered cuts and bruises but did not require medical attention.

Investigating officer PC Sami Dawood said: "This incident is very disturbing especially as this small group consisted of teenagers. We sometimes wonder whether parents know where their children are, and what they are up to.

"This attack happened between an Indian restaurant and a meat shop near the arcade fairly late at night. However we are confident passers-by would have witnessed it and we would appeal for them to come forward."

Police have only just released details on the attack which happened shortly before 11pm on Tuesday, April 9.

Anyone with any information should ringl investigating officers at Loughton Police Station on 0300 333 4444.