BRIGHTON and Hove is all the better for our two universities.

Aside from all the life-changing research conducted there, the students bring so much to the city.

Yes, there will always be problems with excessive noise, litter and such. But students help make Brighton the vibrant, colourful and exciting place it is.

However, there can be absolutely no excuse for what happened at the weekend.

The annual varsity sports event descended into chaos as hundreds of drunk students clashed in mass brawls.

As expected, alcohol seems to be behind the disorder which has no place in our city.

Flares and bottles were thrown in scenes one witness told The Argus reminded him of the football violence of the 1980s.

Several people were rushed to hospital and police officers were called to try and calm the situation down. The rugby match, which appears to have been at the heart of the most severe disorder, was eventually cancelled.

To their credit, both universities swiftly condemned the actions of their students as “shocking” and “disgraceful”.

They have promised a full investigation and said anyone found to be involved will be severely reprimanded.

Sunday was a dark day for both our city’s universities. It doesn’t reflect well on what is supposed to be the cream of the crop of the next generation.

Hopefully those involved will look back on their actions with regret and embarrassment.

They have let themselves down and their universities down.

Let’s hope they make a amends and let’s hope there is never a repeat of what happened on Sunday.