A BRAVE 72-year-old man was hit in the face with a sledgehammer during a brutal burglary at his home.

The pensioner was attacked by three men after they forced their way into his home in Meadow Way, Jaywick.

The victim, who is currently in Colchester Hospital being treated for his injuries, fought off the men with his walking stick.

He had opened his back door to challenge a person in the alleyway next to his house when the three men forced their way in and assaulted him.

He was hit in the face with a sledgehammer and then punched. He fought back and the men left the house after taking his wallet.

Investigating officer, Det Insp Neil Pudney said: “This was attack on an elderly man who has been assaulted in his own home - he would have been terrified.

“He has been injured whilst trying to fight off his attackers, who were armed with a sledgehammer, with just his walking stick.

”This is an out of the ordinary incident so somebody must know who did it or may have seen something that could help us find those responsible for this nasty crime.”

The victim has been taken to Colchester hospital for treatment to his injuries.

A search of the area was carried out by police but no trace of the men was found.

The incident happened shortly before midnight on Wednesday.

The three suspects are described as white, aged over 20, and were wearing grey hooded tops, grey tracksuit bottoms with white spray masks over their faces.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Clacton CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.