A TEENAGER was brutally attacked as he walked through an alleyway by a school.

The 17-year-old was walking past Collingwood School, in South Woodham Ferrers, when three men asked him the time.

He was then punched in the face, before he managed to run away.

It left him with a cut to the bridge of his nose, a red cheek and a bump to his forehead.

His wallet fell out of his pocket as he made his escape.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the attack as the alleyway is overlooked by houses. It happened at about 10.30pm on Friday, December 10.

The attackers are described as white men aged around 18 years old. One was stocky build, about 5ft 11ins tall, with short black hair. He was wearing a black jumper with vertical lines going through it. He had his left eyebrow pierced with a bar through it.

The second man was of slim build, about 6ft tall. He was wearing a white hoody with the hood up. The hoody had some kind of writing on the front. The third man was broader build than the other two, between 5ft 9 ins and 5ft 10ins tall. He was wearing a black cap with the New York Yankees sign on the front and light blue jeans.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at South Woodham Ferrers on 0300 333 4444.