A MAN in his 40s was punched in the head and knocked unconscious in a town centre street.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with an assault in Queen Street, Colchester, at around 1am on Sunday, October 16.

The victim had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said they were called just before 1am to St Botolph's Street.

A paramedic in a car arrived within a few minutes quickly followed by an ambulance.

The spokesman said: "The patient was awake and breathing but not quite alert."

Paramedics were on the scene until 1.30am when the patient was taken to Colchester General Hospital for further treatment.

The man police want to speak to (pictured) is described as white, around 20 years-old, of slim build with wavy brown hair and wearing a black shirt, black jeans and tan coloured shoes.

Anyone with any information can contact Pc Andrew Wells at Colchester Police Station on 101.

People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.