Sir Teddy Taylor today thanked the good Samaritans who came to his rescue when he was attacked while shopping.

Brave - Sir Teddy and wife Sheila at Burns Night celebrations the day after the attack Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

The 66-year-old Rochford and Southend East MP suffered a badly cut lip in the incident which happened as he went to collect a kilt for Burns Night celebrations.

Sir Teddy is undergoing physiotherapy for back and hip pains caused by bruising in Friday's attack outside clohes store Raven's in Clifftown Road, Southend, but says his injuries could have been far more serious .

He said: "If it hadn't been for the good people of Southend I think I would have been in a much worse state. Everyone says people don't care, but so many people came to help me and they all stayed to make sure I was ok."

Published Monday January 19, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo