A MAN was viciously targeted and attacked by a gang of young thugs as he walked home through Chalkwell Park.

The 69-year-old victim, was pelted with stones, then repeatedly punched in the face by one of the yobs, who were all about 16.

He was only rescued when a group of people taking part in a boot camp fitness class nearby in the park saw the attack and chased off the attackers.

The victim, who asked not to be named, said: “It was about 7.45pm and it was just starting to get dark. I was by the war memorial gardens.

“There was a gang of young teenage hooligans who tried, unsuccessfully, to rob me.

“One of them came up to me and physically assaulted me by punching me four times in the face.

“He tried to grab my phone, my bag and my wallet.”

The man, who has lived in the area for 60 years, added: I was lucky a couple of the instructors from the fitness classes were there and came over to me. They took me home and helped put ice packs on my face.

“It is not the sort of thing you expect when you are walking through the park on a lovely summer’s evening.”

A police spokesman said: “He said a group of youngsters had thrown stones at him before one of them punched him in the head. An officer will be liaising with the victim to take a statement.”

Anyone with information about the attack, on Monday evening, should call 101.