DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses to an assault at Basildon bus station which has left a man seriously ill in hospital.

Police were contacted shortly after 11am today following reports that a man in his mid-20s had been attacked outside Bay 8 in the station.

He was taken by paramedics to an Essex hospital after sustaining serious head and facial injuries.

He is currently in a stable condition.

Within the space of two hours, a 27-year-old man from the town was arrested near Church Road on suspicion of assault.

He is currently being questioned by detectives at Basildon police station.

Anyone witnesses to this assault are urged to contact detectives at Basildon police station on 101.