MEN fought with baseball bats in a mass city centre brawl on Saturday night then fled in two cars before police arrived.

Witnesses reported seeing bats being used in the fight in and around Middle Street, Brighton.

The melee appeared to have started on the seafront.

Rachel Bilbee, manager of the Hop Poles pub in Middle Street, said: “It sounded like it was something really, really violent.

“We have had stabbings in Middle Street before but not something like this - it’s not massively common.”

The Argus understands the fight started with one car backing into another before driving off up Middle Street.

Men with baseball bats were then seen getting out of it.

It was then chased by the car it had backed into.

Men from both cars were attacking each other with baseball bats in Duke Street.

There were early reports that one of the men had been hit by a car but police have yet to trace any victim.

The seafront road was cordoned off on Saturday night and there was a strong police presence in the area.

Detectives confirmed they had a call at 8.40pm about men fighting in Middle Street and were linking it to calls at 8.45pm to say that a man was being assaulted in nearby Marine Parade.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that by the time officers arrived in Marine Parade, everyone had fled.

At the time of publication, police had not yet traced those involved.

Detective Inspector Ian Still appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: “We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened.”

Detectives believe the men were driving a silver Volkswagen Polo and a silver Mazda.

Witnesses are asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting operation Ashmill.