A man was stabbed in the leg with an 18-inch knife after an evening at a nightclub.

The 35-year-old victim was stopped in Langley Road, Eastbourne, by two men who punched him and demanded cash.

During the fracas at 1am yesterday the man, from Eastbourne, was stabbed in the leg. He taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital and allowed home 12 hours later as detectives launched an inquiry into the attack.

Detective Constable Neil Fordham said: "This was a sickening attack on a defenceless man who had been out for the night.

"He had no means of defending himself against these two men. His injuries could easily have been more serious than they were."

Both men were described as in their mid-20s, with dark brown short hair, clean shaven and about 5ft 7in tall.

One was wearing a white top with long sleeves and a dark sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact East Downs CID on 0845 6070 999.