An angry motorist drove into a traffic warden to escape a parking ticket.

The driver escaped and police are now appealing for witnesses to the assault in Silver Street, Maldon.

Traffic warden Dave Purcell, based at Maldon police station, was writing out a ticket for the silver Mercedes on Saturday when the young driver returned.

"He was carrying a bag of cakes and had obviously popped into the bakers on the High Street," Mr Purcell said.

When the driver - in his early 20s - spotted the ticket being written out, he challenged the warden and said he didn't deserve it.

"I explained he was on a double yellow line, and that he couldn't avoid the ticket," Mr Purcell said.

The man then leapt into his R registration car and started to drive towards the High Street and the traffic warden.

"He was obviously trying to get me out of the way, but I didn't move," he said.

The car kept on going until it hit Mr Purcell and grazed his leg through his trousers.

The driver then reversed back, turned around and accelerated away.

Mr Purcell, who said it was not the first time a car has been driven at him, then alerted police.

An officer stopped a Mercedes car in Spital Road minutes later, but the driver denied being near the High Street or having an altercation with a traffic warden, and left the town.

The driver involved in the assault is described as 5ft 10ins tall, with spiky, short fair hair and was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call Maldon police on 01621 852255

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001