A man was slashed in the face in KFC in front of shocked customers. 

Witnesses reported seeing a man being punched before being slashed across the face in KFC in Western Road, Brighton on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to the restaurant around 10.40pm. 

A witness, who did not want to be named, said a man came into the restaurant and attacked the customer.

The 17-year-old, from George Street, Hove, said: "I was in KFC, then some man came inside and banged [hit] this guy.

"He literally just pulled out a knife and slashed on the side of his face, on his right cheek.

"Everything just kicked off.

"He just came in and started punching him in the face for no reason."

The victim was taken to hospital with facial injuries. 

Police said the suspect fled the scene and no arrests had been made. 

When The Argus visited the scene shortly after the incident, blood and paper towels covered the floor of the restaurant, which had been evacuated.  

Police and paramedics were still at the scene. 

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "At about 10.47pm on Saturday (10 February), police were called to KFC in Western Road, Brighton, following a report of an incident within the premises. 

"Two men were involved in an altercation before one of them was assaulted with a weapon, believed to be a knife. 

"The suspect fled the scene and at this stage remains outstanding. 

"The victim, a 26-year-old man from Brighton, was initially taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for treatment, before being transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. He had sustained a facial laceration. 

"This is being treated as an isolated incident and enquiries are ongoing." 

A KFC spokesman said: "We were shocked to hear about the incident at our restaurant in Western Road last night.

"We are working with Sussex Police as they conduct their investigation and offering full support to all team members who were on shift last night."