A thug who bit part off a man's ear off in a late night attack in Southend is being hunted by police.

Officers are studying CCTV footage of the incident which happened outside the Radio Rentals shop in the High Street.

The victim, who is in his early 20s and from Benfleet, was taken to Southend Hospital where he had stitches. He returned home but has been off work since the attack.

Det Con Kevin Harman, of Southend police, described the attack as horrific.

He said: "We believe this was an unprovoked attack and anyone who can actually bite off part of someone's ear must be caught as soon as possible.

"It was a sick and horrific attack." Police said the thug first threw his victim against the window of the shop on the corner of the High Street and Elmer Approach and then punched him to the ground.

While he was on the floor the man then knelt over him and bit a large chunk of his ear off.

Police believe the thug was local and have issued a description of him.

He was white, in his late 20s, 6ft 2ins tall, of medium to athletic build and had a local accent.

He had dark, brown straight hair and was clean shaven and wore a white long-sleeved shirt with the arms rolled up and beige trousers.

Anyone with information about the attack at 2am last Saturday should contact Southend police on 01702 431212.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.