Two separate fights merged to form a mass brawl.

The incidents both took place in Lewes, during the early hours of Saturday.

A Sussex Police statement said: “Just after 1am officers went to the High Street after reports of a fight outside the Crown Inn and a few minutes later there were reports of a fight outside the nearby Charcoal Grill in the same street.

“Several 999 calls were received and additional support was required from neighbouring areas in order to contain the disorder, which appears to have stemmed from two separate fights which then overlapped.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Fortunately nobody was seriously injured during these incidents and extra police patrols were in the area for the remainder of the weekend as a precaution. There were no further problems.”

A man aged 51 from Eastbourne was arrested on suspicion of assault and resisting arrest, and a boy aged 16 from Lewes was arrested on suspicion of assault and affray.

Both were subsequently bailed until June 30.

Police are making further enquiries into the incidents and examining CCTV evidence.

Anyone who was in the High Street area early on Saturday and can assist the enquiry is asked to contact police via 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11.