Thugs have attacked a group of French students living in Colchester.

Windows were also smashed at their landlady's house in Wilson Marriage Road.

The worried landlady said the four art and design students - all male and at Colchester Institute - had been visiting friends and returned by taxi at about 2am on Saturday.

About six youths in the garden of a house opposite began to taunt them. Soon after going indoors, the students heard breaking glass and nine window panes were smashed.

Glass in the front door was also broken as was a window in one of the student's cars. The 49-year-old Colchester landlady said the students rushed outside.

"One of the youths had a wooden stick, a broom handle, and went to hit one of the lads, but he put his hands up to protect himself. The other was hit with a fist in the jaw."

The students called the police. The landlady said: "They are really shaken and do not want to stay in the house.

"They are the nicest tenants I have ever had and will be really sorry to see them going home.

"It shows what nice lads they are as they do not want revenge."

The students, in their early 20s, arrived in September and just have four weeks to go before returning to France.

They did not suffer serious injuries, but one was cut by flying glass.

Colchester police said inquiries were ongoing.

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