An innocent nurse could lose the sight in one eye after being attacked during the March for England.

The 25-year-old Brighton woman, who was not taking part in the march or counter protest, had arranged to meet a friend on the seafront and was heading towards the pier at around 1pm on Sunday.

When she got to the exit area of the car park in the front of the Royal Albion Hotel she was unable to continue because of the large crowds.

She was standing near two men thought to be participants in the march when something hit her in the face and she crouched to the ground with blood coming from her left eye.

Several people went to her aid and she was taken to a nearby ambulance for treatment before being taken to the Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton by a paramedic car.

At this stage, permanent damage to her eye has not been ruled out.

Detective Chief Inspector Carwyn Hughes, who is leading the investigations into a number of offences alleged to have occurred during the event, said: “It would appear that this lady has been very unfortunate in having coincidentally been close to two men who seem to have been the targets of the missile thrower.

“She recalls that both the men were shaven-headed and had heavily tattooed arms.

“There were a number of minor injuries caused by missile throwers on the day, but this is far more serious and we would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, especially any of the people who went to the woman's aid.”

Please call Sussex Police on 101 quoting 1276 of 21/04.

Did you witness the incident?

Email anna.roberts@theargus.co.uk.