A man in his 60s was struck in the head with a metal bar when he confronted a burglar in his home.

Officers were called at 10.20pm on Saturday to a house in the Hillcrest Road area of Horndon-on-the-Hill following reports of an aggravated burglary.

When officers arrived, the found a 68-year-old man had been hit with the pole after unexpectedly coming across a burglar.

He was taken to hospital for treatment to serious head injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening. 

The burglar had left the house empty-handed and ran off towards the centre of the village. 

Officers and the police helicopter searched the area but did not find him. 

He is described as white, aged in his thirties with dark brown hair in a short crew cut style that comes onto a point on his forehead.

He is around 5ft 9in or 10in tall with a medium build and was wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

Sgt Natalia Ross, the investigating officer, said: "We urgently need to find and arrest this man and I would appeal for anyone who has any information which could help us or who knows who our suspect is to get in touch.

"Although the victim was badly injured it appears he is likely to be ok in the long run but he will be in hospital for some time receiving treatment.

"To find a stranger in your own home, who is prepared to use such violence, must be everyone’s worst nightmare and I want to find the man responsible as quickly as I can.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Grays CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.