TWO men attacked a taxi driver before fleeing without paying for their trip.

A witness appeal has been made by Essex Police after the driver was assaulted in North Street, Rochford on Friday at 12.30am.

Police were called by colleagues at the ambulance service with reports that the driver picked up two men from outside Rendezvous Casino in Southend shortly after midnight and drove them to North Street.

One of the men got out of the car and assaulted the driver before both of them left without paying for the journey.

The men were described as white, aged between 30 and 40, with one of the men wearing a white jacket.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Southend CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference number 42/150275/19.