A WOMAN was repeatedly kicked and punched by three females outside a Halstead pub.

The 45-year-old victim, from Earls Colne, and her 60-year-old friend, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from Colchester, were attacked while out for a friend’s birthday celebration.

The woman ended up with bruises on her forehead, jaw, ankles and legs and has suffered panic attacks since the incident, outside the Royal Oak the High Street.

Her friend was knocked to the ground and lost consciousness.

The 45-year-old, who asked to not to be named, said her group of nine friends left the Royal Oak because four women kept staring at them.

They went to Whispers Wine Bar and the Bull pub, before returning to the Royal Oak to watch a Beatles tribute act.

She said: “We were on the dance floor with these three girls having a good laugh.

“We left the dance floor to get a drink and the older girl came and said: ‘Have you got a problem with me?’”

The woman then mocked the victim’s northern accent and dragged her to the floor by her hair.

She said: “I managed to get up and walk out.

“The next thing I knew, I had three of them on me in the High Street.”

The attackers were all white women with blonde hair, probably in their thirties or forties.

They are not thought to be regular customers of the pub.

The victim added: “I feel embarrassed, stupid and degraded. I’m 45. I don’t like fighting at the best of times.”

Her 60-year-old friend was hit and knocked to the ground after rushing out to her aid. Paramedics were called after she passed out.

A male friend was also injured as he tried to break up the fight.

PC Simon Warren appealed for witnesses to the attack, at about 10.30pm last Friday, to come forward.

Details of the incident have only just been released.

PC Warren said: “Vicious assaults of this type are very rare in Halstead and are completely unacceptable.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed this assault, or who may know the identity of those responsible, to contact police.”

Anyone with information can call PC Warren on on 0300 3334444.