A 23-year-old man was attacked by racist thugs on New Year's Day.

The man, from Brighton, received a serious eye injury following a fight in the area of the M&A convenience store in Lewes Road, Brighton, around 3.25am.

Detectives believe that he and his friend were attacked by a group of men who ran from the scene a police arrived.

Officers, who had been flagged down by a member of the public and alerted to a fight, caught and detained one of the group.

Detective Inspector Miles Ockwell said: "This was a very serious assault and the victim remains in the Royal Sussex County Hospital where he may lose an eye as a result of the attack. We believe that racist language was directed towards the victim and his friend before they were attacked and we are keen to establish the exact circumstances."

A 19-year-old man from Burgess Hill was arrested on suspicion of GBH, possession of Class A drugs and possession of cannabis. He was questioned and has now been released on bail until March 6.