A man is recovering in hospital after he was set upon by a gang, knocked to the floor and run over with a car.

The victim, who is in his 50s, was attacked on the outskirts of Beccles in the early hours of Sunday.

Detectives say he was targeted by a group of men who got out of a car, pulled him to the floor and stamped on him.

They then got back in the vehicle which was driven over the man.

The victim suffered serious injuries and was taken to the James Paget Hospital, in Gorleston, where he remains in a stable condition.

Witnesses say the attack happened near a sign welcoming people to the town, close to Beccles Hand Car Wash in London Road.

The firm's manager, who lives at the site, said he was woken by a disturbance in the middle of the night.

He said: "I was asleep when there were flashing lights and commotion outside. 

"It’s very shocking what happened. Police asked me if I saw or heard anything but the first thing I heard was them outside my house. There is never normally any trouble at this end of town."

Another local, a man aged 64, said: “This has come as a shock to me.

“When I walked past with my dogs I saw the cordon but truly thought there might have been an accident and nothing was spoken of it really.

“I am so sorry to the victim and his family and hope he recovers and isn’t too traumatised."

Nathan Baker, 19, of Quay Street in Halesworth and Daniel Hermon, 26, of Market Place in Southwold have both been charged with attempted murder.

They were remanded and are due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court today.