A woman has spoken of how she was "beat unconscious" by burglars after she attempted to apprehend two burglars who entered her home.

Tracey Hornsby, 52, noticed two men in her garden who she had not invited in.

When she went outside and approached them, she was allegedly attacked, sustaining injuries to her face and body.

Mrs Hornsby, of Broxburn Drive, South Ockendon, said: "I attempted to apprehend two burglars going to steal from my garden and when I approached them they beat me unconscious.

"They dragged me around in my dressing gown and beat me like a dog.

"I believe if it wasn't for my husband, I would be dead."

When Tracey's husband came out, the burglars fled, but still managed to escape with some items from her garden.

Mrs Hornsby now wants to alert others to this incident, as she believes the perpetrators are still on the loose.

She added: "My biggest fear is that these men are not stopped.

"I don't want this to happen to another woman.

"These men have not just stolen from my home, but they have robbed me of my confidence.

"The door has only got to knock and I jump."

The incident happened in broad daylight on Saturday, November 25.

Mrs Hornsby called the police and had to receive medical treatment for her injuries.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police received reports of an assault in Broxburn Drive, South Ockendon, at around 2.30pm on Saturday, November 25.

"A woman, aged in her 50s, challenged a man found in suspicious circumstances and was assaulted sustaining a nose bleed and some bodily discomfort.

"The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Grays police station on 101 quoting incident 614 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."