A BOUNCER was punched and kicked when he refused to let a man into a bar on Wanstead High Street.

The incident, which happened on Friday (January 16), is believed to have started after a man tried to gain entry to Russells at around 11.30pm.

Witnesses said the man became aggressive and punched the doorman several times in the head, as well as kicking him in the legs.

A bouncer at rival venue Bar Room Bar came over to help, forcing the man to flee down the road minutes before police arrived.

A search of the area was then conducted, with officers arresting and charging a man with common assault shortly after.

One witness, who was drinking in Bar Room Bar at the time, said: "There was a guy in Bar Room Bar who had been drinking and the bouncers asked him to leave.

"He then tried to get into Russells instead but they wouldn't let him.

"We heard shouting and I saw the bouncer being punched in the face.

"He got a massive bruise on his head which came up straight away. He ran off but so many police came to the scene really quickly so he wasn't going to get away.

"There must've been about four or five police cars."

A police spokeswoman said the arrested man had been bailed to appear at Redbridge Magistrates Court on January 30.