A woman was kicked and punched by three women thugs she had been dancing with just minutes before.

The 45-year-old and her 60-year-old friend, who has multiple sclerosis, were assaulted while celebrating a friend's birthday in Halstead.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which started inside the Royal Oak pub, in the High Street, and continued outside, at about 10.30pm on Friday.

See this week's paper for full story.