A pensioner was today recovering in hospital after being beaten unconscious in Clacton town centre in a brutal attack.

The 66-year-old, who has not been named, had serious head and facial injuries when he was discovered in Wellesley Road just after 11pm last night.

He was taken to Colchester General by ambulance. A spokeswoman for Essex Police said the man's condition was stable but he was concussed.

It is believed that he may have suffered a fractured skull in the assault.

Det Insp Len Jarman, of Clacton police, is leading the hunt for the attacker.

"It appears the 66-year-old was assaulted by a younger man near to a telephone box in Wellesley Road," he said.

"At this stage of the inquiry we have no idea why, and it appears to be a totally motiveless attack on this man."

Mr Jarman said that a number of witnesses to the incident had been traced and police would be interviewing them today.

He added: "It was a particularly nasty and vicious attack on an elderly man.

"It would have been life-threatening for anyone to have been beaten unconscious like that but it is particularly worrying because of this victim's age."

Mr Jarman said it was not known whether any type of weapon had been used and none had been recovered at the scene of the assault.

Police cordoned off the area with tape and an officer was guarding the scene this morning.

Mr Jarman said police were still keen to trace other witnesses and appealed for anyone in the area at the time to come forward.

"We believe there may have been others than those we have traced who were making their way home along Wellesley Road at that time and we would like to speak to them," he added.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clacton police on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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