Police are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked attack which left a man with a fractured eye socket among five broken bones in his face.

The 43-year-old was targeted outside the Green Dragon pub in Market Square, Waltham Abbey, on June 21.

The man had been drinking in the pub with a friend and had gone outside to the smoking area for a cigarette at 11pm.

While he was standing outside, he was hit in the right side of his face and knocked unconscious.

A woman who found him called police, but the attacker had fled.

Police described the attack as a "serious assault" and he underwent surgery on his injuries on July 9.

PC Clare Ferdinand said: "We do not know if any weapon was used to strike the victim or not but he suffered extensive injuries including five broken bones in his face.

“We have yet to identify the attacker but the pub would’ve been packed at the time, as there was a disco going on.

“I am sure some of the people there must have seen something or may know something about this attack."

Anyone with any information should call Loughton CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111