A teenager who was beaten unconscious believes he had fuel poured over him in a late night ambush near his home.

Mat Bakter, 17, feared he was going to die when he was jumped in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police have arrested a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old man over the horrific assault but mystery still surrounds how the seriously injured boy got to hospital.

Today, Mat, of Pound Lane, Upper Beeding, spoke of his terror at facing the bat-wielding thugs.

The labourer said he was on his way home from singing karaoke at the Rising Sun pub when he was cornered outside Adur Valley Court, off Towers Road, at about 1.30am.

He said: "One hit me over the head. I turned round and punched him and then I got jumped by two others.

"They beat me with baseball bats and rounders bats. I felt myself fall to the floor and that was it. I just got laid into and laid into.

"I thought I was going to die. I thought there was no way I was going to get out of it, they were just going to beat me and beat me until I died. It was terrifying.

"I was knocked unconscious and didn't know anything else until I woke up in hospital."

Police said they weren't called in to investigate the incident until Sunday morning - after Mat had been taken to Worthing Hospital.

His family believe he was bundled into a van by a mysterious stranger and taken to the ward, wrapped in a quilt without his trousers.

Mat discharged himself from hospital yesterday following a cat scan.

Sussex Police said the girl and man arrested for the assault had been released on bail. Officers are still appealing for witnesses.

A force spokeswoman said: "A 17-year-old male has received injuries consistent with GBH and has since been discharged from hospital. If anyone has information please come forward, even anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."