A man punched a pensioner in the head while she was walking her dog during an assault in Little Waltham.

The 70-year-old woman was walking her dog in The Street, Little Waltham, when a man approached her and punched her in the head, causing her to fall against a wall.

When she asked why he had assaulted her, he struck her twice more in the back of the head before walking off towards Broomfield.

The attack took place on on Tuesday March 1, at about 3.45pm.

Investigating officer Pc Lee Heaton, of Chelmsford local policing team, said: "Fortunately the victim suffered only minor injuries but was left shaken by her ordeal.

"This was an unprovoked assault and I am appealing for anyone who saw what happened or saw the man in the area at the time of the incident to contact me.”

The suspect is described as white, aged between 30 and 40, and between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 10ins tall. He was of slim build and had a gaunt, pale face and a wispy, untidy beard.

He wore a red hat, an old navy blue donkey-style jacket and pale jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call Pc Heaton on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org