A bus driver was dragged to the floor as she walked home from work.

Dawn Pullen was set upon by two thugs who approached her from behind in Clay Hill Road, Basildon.

The men, who were on bicycles, tried to snatch her handbag, but didn’t manage to take it as it was strapped across her body.

Ms Pullen, 44, suffered scratches, cuts and grazes to her hands and knees in the terrifying assault.

It was only when a passer-by, shouted at the muggers that they ran off.

The mum-of-one said: “I wasn’t aware of anyone behind me and suddenly they were there.

It’s all a bit of a blur.

“They grabbed my bag and I was pushed to the floor. My body is badly bruised and my hands are grazed. I have really hurt my knee, too. I had to go to hospital because my ankle was swollen and the police thought I had broken it.”

The passer-by got in touch with Ms Pullen’s partner, Lee Trott, 41, who ran after the attackers in his pyjamas.

Ms Pullen, who works for First buses, said: “He caught up with one of them and grabbed him by the shoulder, but he managed to get away.

“To say I am upset is an understatement. It was very frightening. I have been feeling really paranoid when I amout. I can’t trust anyone and have been having sleepless nights.

I’ve just had a panic attack in the town centre.

“I want people to be aware this type of crime is happening more often in Basildon and to be careful.”

The attack happened at about 8pm on Tuesday. A police spokesman said: “We are investigating an attempted robbery.

One of the men is Eastern European and wore a turban.

The other is white, with ginger hair and a ginger beard.”

Anyone with information is urged to call call Essex Police on 101.