A boxing fan has been left permanently scarred after he was smashed over the head with a bottle.

The victim was attacked outside Rileys sports bar in London Road at about 11.30pm on Saturday.

The 29-year-old from Moulsecoomb had been inside the club, which was showing the Froch v Groves boxing match that evening, before he was attacked outside.

He was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital to be treated for nasty cuts that needed more than 40 stitches to be repaired.

Detective Constable Ed Downes said: "This was a particularly nasty assault which has left the victim with multiple deep lacerations and will almost certainly lead to him being permanently scarred.

"We believe the attacker may have been inside Rileys before the attack, although there was no violence inside the club.

"I am keen to speak to anyone that was in Rileys on Saturday night and may have seen the victim or who was outside the venue at the time he was attacked.

"Please contact us if you saw or heard anything at all. You could have information that is vital to the investigation."

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1489 of 23/11, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.