1 January 2013 Last updated at 12:10 ET

Brighton 'race attack' victim may lose eye

A 23-year-old man may lose an eye after he was attacked in Brighton in what was thought to be a racially-aggravated assault, police have said.

Sussex Police said the man suffered a serious eye injury in a fight in a convenience store in the early hours.

It is thought he and his friend were attacked by a group of men who ran off as police arrived, officers added.

Det Insp Miles Ockwell said it was believed they were subjected to racist taunts during the attack in Lewes Road.

Appealing for witnesses, he said: "This was a very serious assault and the victim remains in the Royal Sussex County Hospital where he may lose an eye as a result of the attack.

"We believe that racist language was directed towards the victim and his friend before they were attacked and we are keen to establish the exact circumstances."

Officers who went to the scene after being flagged down by a member of the public arrested a man, he added.

The 19-year-old from Burgess Hill was questioned on suspicion of drugs offences and bailed pending inquiries, he said.