The head of a Sikh Gurdwara in England's Coventry town was attacked by a masked man who hit him with an iron bar several times, leaving him bruised.

Gian Singh, 72, had left the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash in Foleshill area and was walking towards a nearby bus stop when he was approached by his attacker.

The incident took place last Tuesday night but came to light only now.

"I had left the temple to catch the bus and I saw a man wearing a mask. I usually travel by car but I didn't have a car that night. He attacked me and I defended myself," Singh was quoted as saying by local newspaper Coventry Telegraph.

Moments later, the attacker returned again, striking Singh four or five times.

The attacker, who is believed to have been wearing a black stocking on his head, fled the spot by a car and Singh was taken to a hospital for treatment.

He received cuts and bruises to his face and arms during the incident, the report said adding, the motive for the attack is not clear at this stage.

Officers based at Little Park Street police station are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.