Shoppers dived for cover when a string of Christmas lights crashed down in one of Brighton's busiest streets.

The bulbs shattered and an electrical cable, believed to be live, was left trailing across East Street.

Council workers decided to cut off the power and it was unclear when the lights would be switched back on.

Hundreds of people were in East Street when the lights came away from a wall at about 5pm on Saturday.

Most managed to dodge the falling bulbs but one man was caught on the shoulder by the electric cable during its 15ft drop near Russell & Bromley, Coast and Molton Brown.

Fire crews were called after traders feared the cable was live.

The incident happened hours after the lights were switched on.

Jude Johnston, a sales assistant at L'Occitane, said: "I heard a loud smash which sounded like breaking bottles and looked outside.

"There was glass everywhere and people were looking at the cable in shock. It's remarkable no one was hurt because there were loads of people around."

The lights, paid for by traders and Brighton and Hove City Council, were organised by the Brighton City Centre Business Forum.

The forum contracted Piggotts to erect them - the same London firm responsible for the capital's Regent Street decorations.

No one at Piggotts was available for comment.

Tuesday December 02, 2003