Detectives say they have had a "fantastic response" to a witness appeal to catch the man who stabbed a doorman in the back before throwing a brick at his head.

Bouncer Tim Harding was badly hurt in the attack outside Concorde 2 in Madeira Drive, Brighton, late last Sunday night.

Mr Harding's nightclub boss praised him for protecting revellers from the knife crazed crook, who was hurling stones at the queue.

Mr Harding suffered a 4in-deep wound, which narrowly missed his kidneys, and head injuries after being hit by a brick.

The 35-year-old was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital and was discharged during the early hours of Monday morning.

The Argus reported on Tuesday how trouble flared when a group of four or five men were refused entry to a Garage Nation event.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Due to The Argus's front page, we have had a fantastic response from witnesses who perhaps saw this group in the evening before the attack.

All the men are described as white, in their 20s, and wearing jeans and T-shirts. They ran off in the direction of the Palace Pier.

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

For more information about crime in your area visit the local information section of this website.