A MAN lay unconscious behind bushes on a bridge over the A406 after a savage attack by robbers while a friend searched frantically for him just yards away.

The 29-year-old victim, who was struck numerous times with a baseball bat, was assaulted on his way to visit his friend in Woodford Green at about 12.30am on Friday, following a night out.

A spokeswoman for Ilford police said: "This was a brutal attack and the victim was lucky not to be killed. We urgently want to talk to anyone who may have seen this taking place."

As he walked up the High Road, just opposite the Waitrose supermarket site, he was approached from the right by a group of five men.

He told police that he thought they were just going to walk past but instead they surrounded him before one started punching him in the face.

While he tried to defend himself, another of the group started to kick and punch him from behind before producing a baseball bat.

The attacker then started hitting the man with the bat striking him on the back of his head, his arms and his elbows.

The man lost consciousness, and was left behind bushes on the bridge while pedestrians, including his friend, unknowingly walked past. The victim's friend searched the streets for him, concerned that he had not arrived at his home.

Two-and-a-half hours later, the victim eventually managed to regain consciousness, staggering to his mother's house in Clayhall.

She immediately drove him to King George Hospital in Goodmayes where he was treated for his injuries. The victim sustained severe bruising to his head, arms, legs and ribs.

The attackers had robbed him of his driving licence and his camera phone and cash to the value of £370.

The two black and three white men who attacked him are all thought to be in their early 20s.

Det Con Emma Tweddle, who is leading the investigation, said: "It looks like a completely random attack. It's not a nice thing to happen to anyone."

Anyone with information should call the burglary and robbery squad at Ilford police on 8345 2610.