A Lesbian couple were both punched in the face by two men just hours before Pride 2003.

The pair, aged 18 and 23, were attacked outside the Revenge nightclub in the Old Steine, Brighton, at 12.30am on Saturday.

One woman went to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with a swollen face.

One of the attackers was 25 to 30 and wore a white shirt. The other wore a black shirt.

The area was busy with pedestrians at the time and police have appealed for witnesses.

Officers labelled the incident homophobic and Pride organisers condemned the attacks.

David Harvey, chairman of Pride in Brighton and Hove, said: "It is a real shame two thugs, steeped in ignorance, took it upon themselves to dish out the kind of prejudice that Pride works hard to stamp out."

Police congratulated Pride organisers on a trouble-free festival.

During the Party in the Park event in June which attracted 80,000, there were eight arrests, mainly for alcohol-related offences.

Police said there were no arrests at Saturday's Pride festival, which attracted 90,000 people.