A policeman was injured after stopping a group of youths suspected of bottling two men in a pub.

The officer was attacked after being called to a fight at The Burrell Arms in Commercial Square, Haywards Heath, at about 11pm on Saturday.

Two men, aged 45 and 46, both from Lindfield, were punched and struck with bottles when they supported repeated requests from the landlady for a group of men to behave.

One man was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone.

The suspects fled but were spotted in nearby Queen’s Road by a lone officer who tried to detain them. He was attacked and suffered minor injuries, but managed to captor spray a 24-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy. The pair were then arrested by colleagues on suspicion of assault, criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.

A third suspect, 20, got away but was later arrested on suspicion of similar offences.

The suspects were interviewed and have been bailed until April 18 while enquiries continue.

Anyone who saw what happened or who may have other information is asked to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting serial 1577 of 28/2.