A CYCLIST in his 20s was beaten with a bat by the passenger of an Audi.

The man was cycling along Victoria Esplanade near to Broomhills Road, West Mersea, at around 10.30am on February 12 when a black Audi A4 pulled up next to him.

A man got out of the passenger side of the vehicle, pushed the victim to the floor, and assaulted him with a weapon believed to be a type of bat.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Pc Andrew Gudgin at Colchester Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.