Three girls have been arrested after two racist attacks in Brighton, one of which left a man badly bruised with broken teeth.

In the first attack, at 10.30pm on Friday, a 53-year-old Greek man was tripped and knocked to the ground by a gang of girls near the Queen's Hotel in King's Road.

He got up, despite being kicked in the face and body, and ran towards the West Pier but the gang chased him, knocked him to the ground and assaulted him again.

The victim got up and ran for a second time, but again he was knocked down. This time one of the girls took his wallet and ran away.

The man was kept in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, overnight. Police are anxious to speak to a woman in her 40s or 50s who at one point went to his assistance.

In the second incident, some 20 minutes later, one of a trio of girls attacked a 32-year-old French air hostess in Pavilion Gardens.

The victim gave the girl her purse and she ran away with the other two.

Police think a man who then retrieved the empty purse may also have been attacked.

Detective Constable Louise Bates of Brighton & Hove City CID said: "These were violent, racist robberies and I need people to come forward if they saw what happened."

The three girls who were arrested have been released on police bail.

Anyone with information can call Ms Bates at Brighton police station on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.