A 30-strong stag party clashed with a group of men on a night out.

One of the stag party was reportedly armed with a Stanley knife, lashing out as part of the brawl.

The altercation happened between Waitrose in Western Road, Brighton, and the Temple Bar pub, at the road's junction with Temple Street.

Some of the men involved were chased inside the Temple Bar.

Police in two riot vans arrived on the scene at about 12.20am today.

One witness, who did not wish to be named, exclaimed: "Who goes out on a stag do with a Stanley knife?"

Hours later Temple Street became the scene of a murder investigation following another fight. Police said the two incidents were not linked. 

A Sussex Police spokesman told The Argus: "There was a reported disturbance that was dealt with by our Operation Marble units, normally deployed on Friday and Saturday nights.

"It looks like the group starburst on police arrival, running off in different directions.

"No one was arrested and we have no record of a knife being used.

"We are not linking this to the later incident currently being investigated as a murder."