A man was threatened with a meat cleaver early today - and robbed of just a few cigarettes and some loose change.

The 21-year-old victim was approached in Western Road near the junction with Bedford Place, Brighton, just after midnight.

The offender produced a cleaver and made the victim hand over cigarettes and change.

He ordered the victim to a cash machine to withdraw money but the victim said he had no card.

The offender, who was black, 6ft 1in tall and aged 20 to 30, then walked off towards the city centre.