Police appealed for help today after a 30-year-old man lost the tip of his finger and suffered a five-inch slash to the back of his head in a violent attack.

The victim was recovering at home following the frightening assault which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning on Basildon's Festival Leisure Park.

Officers called out to what was described as a stabbing in the car park at the out-of-town complex, found the 30-year-old victim reeling from three serious cuts including a wound on his back.

He was rushed to Basildon Hospital by paramedics for treatment.

Video footage from the area has been studied by police but they are not sure if the man was attacked with a knife or some other sort of bladed weapon.

Det Sgt Liam Osborne said a small group of people in the car park at the time of the assault may hold vital clues as to what happened.

He added: "We would appeal to those people to come forward.

"They may not have realised what was taking place because it happened so quickly and those responsible left the scene very quickly.

"Even if they don't think they know anything, it would be extremely helpful if they could call us."

Anyone with information should call Pitsea CID on 01268 532212.

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