A Brighton father and daughter were left bloodied and bruised after a gang of teenagers allegedly launched an unprovoked attack as they waited for the bus in Churchill Square.

The group were described as “circling like sharks” outside the Brighton shopping centre before kicking and punching the pair to the floor.

Mila Brazzi, 21, has told how she was left with chunks of her hair missing along with cuts and bruises while her 54-year-old dad Keith Hall suffered a cracked rib, black eye, cuts to his face and concussion.

Miss Brazzi's boyfriend, Ben Maylin, 25, was also allegedly set upon, also suffering cuts and bruises.

She said: “It was terrifying, I've lived in Brighton all my life and I've always felt safe. It was completely out the blue.

“They were circling us like sharks and being really abusive.”

Mr Brazzi added: “It was relentless. It probably only lasted a couple of minutes but it felt like an eternity.”

The trio had spent the night at a work do at the Prince of Wales Pub in Clarence Square.

They told how they were waiting to catch the bus outside the shopping centre when the 10 to 15 youths approached them.

They called the police who were on the scene in minutes.  spokesman said: “Officers arrested seven people for assault and affray who were questioned and bailed.

“These include two 14-year-old boys, two 15-year-old boys and three 16-year-old boys. They have all been released on bail until January 7.”

Fifty four-year-old Keith Hall, who lives in Shoreham, appears to have come off the worst with not only concussion but also a cracked rib, bloody nose, black eyes, cuts to his face and bruises.

He said: “I still feel awful. I've only just got the movement back in my hand and I couldn't get my words out yesterday. I can tell my brain isn't working normally.”

Miss Brazzi added: “It was completely out of the blue. I try to avoid Brighton on a Friday and Saturday night but still, you don't expect something like this to happen.”