A police officer was stabbed in the hand as she intervened in a brawl outside an Eastbourne kebab shop.

A fight between up to eight people erupted outside the Clay Oven in Seaside Road, with one man brandishing a bottle.

The unnamed officer was stabbed in her right hand as the fight spilled out on to the pavement in front of dozens of onlookers.

She was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital but was later released after the brawl, which happened just after 2am on Saturday.

Police armed with batons broke up the fight, which was witnessed by a large crowd of revellers as they returned home.

A police spokesman said: "It was during the dispute the officer noticed blood on her right hand but she is unsure whether the wound was caused by a knife or a bottle.

"Although she went to hospital to have strips applied to her cut, she was not seriously injured and has since returned to duty.

"Nevertheless we are treating this as a serious incident."

No arrests have been made.

Police have appealed for witnesses, particularly a taxi driver who witnessed the fight as it spilled out in front of his white car at the junction of Susans Road and Seaside Road.

Anyone with information should phone Eastbourne Police on 0845 607099.