Officers investigating an incident where a woman was shot in the eye in her home have released an e-fit of a man they want to identify.

The woman in her 50s, named locally as Sue Smith, received serious eye injuries after being shot with an airgun inside her home in Chesham Drive, Basildon, on Wednesday.

Police would like to speak to anyone who saw the man in the image before or after the incident, which took place at about 8am.

He is described as being between 5ft 5ins and 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build with short dark brown hair.

The man was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and dark trousers or jeans.

The victim was airlifted to St Georges Hospital, in Tooting, where she underwent surgery for life changing eye injuries.

She is expected to remain in hospital for the foreseeable future.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call DC Nick May on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.