A man has been sprayed in the face with an unknown substance while helping a member of staff who was being assaulted.

The 48-year-old customer was in Tesco Express in Silva Island Way, Wickford, at about 7.30am on Sunday January 7.

While he was in the store, two men were acting aggressively towards a member of staff.

He went to assist the staff member and there was an altercation during which one of the men threw a can of lager at him.

The second suspect then sprayed an unknown substance in his face.

Both suspects ran off.

The victim suffered stinging to his eyes and a cut to his eyebrow.

The first suspect was described as being white, aged between around 16 and his early 20s, and about 5ft 6ins tall.

He had mousey brown hair and wore a grey hooded top, black jogging bottoms and trainers with white stripes.

The second man was described as being of mixed heritage, around 5ft 4ins tall and aged between 14 and 18.

He had afro-style black hair that was short at the sides and longer on top and wore grey tracksuit bottoms and a dark jacket.

Contact Pc Shannon Ross on the Basildon local policing team on 101 quoting reference 42/2980/18.

Alternatively, contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.