The head of a prominent gay organisation has been stabbed in a homophobic attack on Brighton seafront.
Andy Dunton, the recently-elected chairman of the Pride Brighton and Hove committee, was wounded in the stomach and arm as he walked along a footpath between Madeira Drive and Marine Parade, Brighton.
Mr Dunton, 38, had emergency surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, and his condition was today said to be stable.
Detective Sergeant Steve Luxford, of Brighton and Hove police, said the incident was being investigated as an attempted robbery.
He said: "This was a particularly nasty attack and we are treating it as a homophobic incident."
Mr Dunton is the lead figure for this year's annual Pride gay festival in Brighton on August 10.
The festival is expected to attract more than 60,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people with their friends and relatives.
The attack happened at about 2.30am yesterday.
Witnesses should contact the Brighton and Hove police anti-victimisation unit on 0845 6070999.
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