A man suffered a fractured skull when he was hit on the head with an iron bar at a village pub.

The 49-year-old is being treated in Colchester General Hospital following the incident in St Osyth.

The victim, who has been living and working in the area but comes from Sussex, had what police describe as a minor argument with another man in the Lakeside pub in Mill Street on yesterday at about 7.15pm.

The suspect, who is described as in his 40s, well built and of average height, left the pub then returned with an iron bar and hit the man on the head.

The victim was taken to hospital and has been detained as the fracture to his skull is serious.

Detectives want to speak to anyone who was in the pub or in the immediate area and may have witnessed anything that could help piece together the exact sequence of events, or who knows who the suspect is.

  • Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Jules Cole at Clacton CID on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.