A man suffered a burn to the face during an attack near Colchester town centre last night.

Police were called to Magdalen Street at around 7.15pm with reports that liquid had been thrown and injured a man.

The man, who was with a woman at the time of the incident, was also beaten during the attack, Essex Police said.

Verbal threats were also been made against the man and woman.

He received medical treatment and was left with superficial injuries, including a burn to the face from the liquid.

The type of liquid thrown during the attack is unknown, but it is not believed to have been acid, a force spokesman said.

The woman was not physically assaulted.

The incident took place near a number of shops, police said.

Officers investigating the incident have said they want to trace four people.

Three men involved in the incident were described as black. One was around 29 years old, was 6ft3ins tall and had a squint in one eye. He also wore his hair in plaits and had an East London accent. He wore a navy blue puffed jacket and blue jeans.

The second man was believed to be in his mid-20s, also 6ft3ins tall and was of stocky build. He had a beard and moustache and wore a navy, hooded zip-up cardigan, with light coloured trousers.

Another man was around 25 years old, slightly taller at 6ft4ins and of stocky build.

The woman was described as white, also around 25 years old, 5ft tall and was slim. She had an East London accent and her dark brown hair was worn loose.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.