A MAN was kicked in the head while buying food at a drive-through.

The victim was paying for his order at McDonald's at the Tollgate Shopping Centre in Stanway at 10.20pm on Wednesday when another motorist started sounding their horn.

The 29-year-old got into a row with the other man.

The attacker got the victim on the floor and kicked him in the head.

He then drove off in a white van.

Franchisee Craig Newness runs the Tollgate restaurant along with several others in the area.

He said: “What I have been told is there were customers outside the store in the drive-through area who got into a scuffle which then became a fight.

“My managers went out and assisted and the police became involved.

“We have very good CCTV both inside and out for security purposes and it has been passed on.

“The customer who was hurt said he would like an ambulance but they were told it could be an hour wait so the people who he was with decided it would be better if they drove him to hospital.

“As it happened outside the store we don’t know why it happened and what the reasons for the fight breaking out was.

“It could be anything and it would be inappropriate to speculate.

“My managers are very good and acted very quickly to help.

“It is fairly unusual for something like this to happen at the Tollgate restaurant.

“It is predominately a family area with people coming for food after they have been shopping.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We have been carrying out CCTV enquiries and we would like to hear from anyone who has information or dash cam footage.

"Please call Colchester police station on 101 quoting crime reference 42/192032/19."