Detectives have appealed for information after a man was seriously injured when he was struck by a car then stabbed.

The incident happened in Dorset Avenue, Great Baddow, at about 10.15pm yesterday.

The victim and a friend were walking along the pavement when they were both struck by a dark-coloured BMW.

One of the men, who was more seriously injured after being hit by the car, was then assaulted and stabbed in the lower body as he lay on the ground. The BMW then drove off, in company with a light-coloured BMW.

The victim, who also received a head injury, was taken to hospital and his condition this morning was said to be ‘serious’. The second man was struck a glancing blow by the car but was unharmed.

DCI Mark Hall of Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, who is leading the investigation, said: "We believe that the men involved in this incident are likely to be known to each other and we suspect that this is drug-related.

"We urgently need to hear from witnesses at the scene or anyone who saw either vehicle in the area.”

Dorset Avenue has been closed at the junction with Noakes Avenue and is likely to remain closed during the morning while forensic investigations are carried out.

Anyone with information should contact Essex Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.