A WOMAN needs surgery after being slashed in the face with a knife.

The 28-year-old was walking home with a friend along Selsfield Drive, Brighton, when she was cut across her cheek with a knife.

The brutal attack happened at 9pm on May 25 when she reached the junction with Lewes Road.

Her attacker then ran away south down Lewes Road.

Police have issued photos of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the brutal assault.

Detectives are also renewing their appeal for a car driver who may recall having had a narrow miss with a pedestrian running down Lewes Road towards Brighton centre around that time.

Detective Constable Scott Moore, from Brighton investigations, said: “Our enquiries have led us to believe that the man in the photos may have important information about the incident and we would like to identify him and speak to him.

“We have also established that a man suspected of inflicting grievous bodily harm on the victim narrowly avoided a collision with a southbound vehicle while fleeing the scene.

“He ran west to east across both lanes of the A270 dual carriageway in the direction of The Avenue and although several weeks have now passed since the incident took place, we would still like to talk to the motorist the suspect ran in front of.”

Anyone with information should call 101.