A security guard working inside an Ilford supermarket was smashed over the head with two bottles of a non-alcoholic drink as three yobs landed a volley of punches on him.

The man, working in the Iceland store in High Road, was attacked in front of customers yesterday afternoon at about 3.30pm.

According to a member who staff who did not want to give his name, the guard noticed the three acting “suspiciously” outside the store.

After challenging them inside the store, the trio turned violent.

The staff member, who has seen the attack played back on CCTV, said: “He tried to protect himself but he didn’t get the chance to hit them back. He had three people hitting him from three different sides.”

According to the Iceland worker, one of the three picked up two bottles of Mighty Malt – a non-alcoholic energy malt drink – from a shelf and smashed it over the guard’s head.

Speaking of the commotion, which in total lasted “about five minutes”, the store worker said: “There was some panic.

“As soon as they hit him they ran out. They were not inside [the store] for very long.

“The duty manager was present and he calmed people down.”

The security guard, who a London Ambulance Service spokesman said was believed to be in his 50s, was discharged from hospital this afternoon.

He has worked at the Iceland store for “six to eight months”.

The supermarket closed at 4.10pm yesterday, 50 minutes earlier than usual, and opened as usual today.

Police are not saying how the man was hurt until CCTV is viewed.

They could not tell the Recorder if any arrests have been made.

• Did you witness the incident? Call 020 8477 3806 or email zjan.shirinian@archant.co.uk.