Four yobs have been sent to prison after starting a fight in the city centre.

The gang of youths set upon a group of Austrian students who were sitting outside Churchill Square in Brighton.

They started throwing punches and shouting abuse at the visitors who had been congregated on a wall near Borders Bookshop having a chat.

Now the four males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been jailed for their part in the vicious assault.

Police were called to Churchill Square at about 7pm on February 14 and arrested several teenagers at the scene to question them.

CCTV images recovered by officers showed the four Brighton lads - two aged 16, one aged 15 and one aged 17 - attacking the Austrians.

All four pleaded guilty to affray at Brighton Youth Court. Three were jailed for six months and one for four months.

PC James Marter, of Sussex Police, said: "This is an excellent result for the victims and a stark warning to the few that are intent on causing trouble in the city centre.

"Violent and antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in the city centre and the sentences passed reflect this."