A man was assaulted and robbed early today in what police are treating as a homophobic attack.

Officers would not confirm or deny the man had been stabbed.

The 38-year-old victim was attacked as he walked along a footpath between Madeira Drive and Marine Parade, on Brighton seafront.

He was taken to hospital, where police said he was receiving treatment and in a stable condition.

Detective Sergeant Steve Luxford of Brighton and Hove police, said: "This was a particularly nasty attack and we are treating it as a homophobic incident."

The victim, who lives locally but has not been named, was assaulted at about 2.30am.

Detectives from the Anti-Victimisation Unit (AVU) set up to investigate hate crimes were today searching the area where the attack happened.

Sergeant Luxford called on anyone with information to contact police.

He said: "I would like to appeal to anyone, including those within the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, who feels they may have useful information regarding the incident to contact the Anti-Victimisation Unit.

"They can be assured they will be speaking to the police in complete confidence."

The AVU can be contacted on 0845 6070999.