Five men were beaten with a baseball bat and a sharp-bladed weapon early today in a homophobic attack in Brighton.

One victim needed hospital treatment for a head cut and others suffered bruises and slash wounds.

The offenders fled and police called in firefighters equipped with powerful search lights to help hunt for the offenders in bushes at Dukes Mound, a popular gay meeting point near Brighton Marina.

There was no trace of the attackers but police inquiries were continuing today.

Police believe the assailants may be responsible for other assaults on gays in the city.

Detective Sergeant Andy Cummins, heading the inquiry, said: "This was a very nasty and totally unprovoked incident and we urgently need witnesses to come forward."

Some of the victims were arm-in-arm as they walked home in St James's Street, Kemp Town, Brighton, after an evening out.

They had reached the junction of Rock Gardens at 3.30am when the gang approached and began a barrage of verbal, homophobic insults.

After the attack, the gang fled along Madeira Drive to Dukes Mound.

There have been fewer homophobic assaults recorded in recent weeks but police are still investigating a spate during the summer.

Neil Collins, 22, of Hove, spent nine hours in hospital, needed three weeks off work and was left with facial scars after being assaulted in Marine Parade in July.

In August, three men were beaten by gangs trawling the streets to carry out homophobic attacks after the Gay Pride festival in August.

Police suspect that a homophobic gang is travelling into the city specifically to target gays.

The Brighton and Hove police Anti Victimisation Unit, which concentrates on hate crime, has vowed to track down those responsible for the attacks.

Anyone with information about today's attack should contact the unit urgently on 01273 665502.