POLICE have refuted a singer's claims that she was punched by a man on Brighton seafront early on Saturday morning.

Clara Byrne, 21, who is the frontwoman in Brighton-based ska band Dakka Skanks, said she and her friend were attacked when trying to protect another woman from a group of black men.

But police said it was a man who was attacked.

She told The Argus: “My friend got punched in the nose and there was blood everywhere. I got punched about six times in the face and it is all a blur after that.

“The police came and called an ambulance but they left me and it was two or three hours until the ambulance came.”

But a Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Police received a report at 5.30am on Saturday of an assault on two women in Marine Drive.

“Officers attended and found a man had been assaulted allegedly by a woman, reported by witnesses including door staff. The woman was not arrested as the victim did not want any further action. The woman had no injuries, however if there were further offences or assault taken place, she is urged to contact police immediately so there can be an investigation.”