A traffic warden was beaten up with his own ticket machine in front of shocked diners this morning.

The man, who is in his 40's, was assaulted in Strathville Road, at 11.30am.

Witnesses said they saw a man lash out at him whilst the traffic warden was riding his bike down the road.

An ambulance crew treated the man and he was sent to St George's Hospital.

Police are hunting a black man and a white man who fled the scene before they arrived.

Alex Pinna, whose fiancée is proprietor of the Mood Food Cafe, said the incident took place outside the cafe in front of dozens of customers.

He said: "There was a traffic warden beaten up right outside the cafe, my fiancée was really shaken up."

If you have any information call 101 or Crime stopper anonymously on 0800 555 111.