A man has been taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries to his face after he was sprayed with an 'unknown substance'.

A man in his 20s and a man in his 40s were near the BP petrol station in Baddow Road at around 12.50am on Sunday, October 8 when a dark-coloured car pulled up next to them.

Four black men got out of the vehicle, assaulted the men with baseball bats and sprayed them in their faces with an unknown substance.

The victims were then able to get away and call the emergency services.

Detective Sergeant Dan Smith, from Chelmsford CID, said: “This was a nasty attack which has left a man with injuries that could affect him for the rest of his life.

“This incident will understandably cause concern to local residents but I want to reassure them that these types of attacks are very rare and we believe it to be an isolated incident.

“If you saw the attack or have any information about, please come forward.”

If you have any information please contact Ds Smith on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.