A CLUBBER was left with severe facial injuries after being brutally attacked with a knuckleduster inside a nightclub.

The assault happened in a bar area in Dick de Vigne’s, in Warrior Square, Southend, at about 1.25am on Sunday.

A man, aged in his twenties, was knocked to the ground and punched repeatedly by a fellow reveller - who was then thrown out of the club. Police are appealing for information.

Owner Dick de Vigne said the attack was “horrible” and was carried out as hundreds of revellers tried to enjoy the Bank Holiday festivities.

He said: “We have been sorting out CCTV footage for the police. When we viewed it we couldn’t see any sign of anything in his hand.

“We have seen the police report from the evening and all it says is the man received significant facial injuries.

“We could see that the victim was a regular and it was a totally unprovoked attack. Our doormen were in there in an instant but the man had pinned him to the ground and had already hit him quite a few times.

“I do wish the victim well. I know he was taken to the hospital but I’m not sure of his position now. It’s just a horrible thing to happen.”

An Essex Police spokesman told the Echo a description of the attacker is not available. The spokesman also refused to go into further details about the injuries the victim received.

He said: “The victim, a man in his twenties, was punched in the face several times with what is believed to be a knuckleduster. He suffered significant facial injuries.

“The man who attacked him was ejected from the nightclub and is believed to have made off in the direction of the High Street.”

It is understood the victim made his own way to hospital and was not taken by ambulance.

The attack came a day after a stabbing in The Kursaal. Mr de Vigne said violent crime in the town is “frightening” and he is considering buying metal detectors for door staff.

Anyone with any information can contact Det Con Neil Utley at Southend police station on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.