Teenage yobs knocked a group of friends to the ground and repeatedly kicked them in the head.

Harriet Dack, Samantha Jackson and Dan Whiting, all 20, were on a night out when they were set upon in a brutal unprovoked attack.

The friends were jumped at 2.30am yesterday as they walked down Middle Street in Brighton.

Upholsterer Daniel was punched unconscious before the yobs turned on his girlfriend Samantha and Harriet.

The women, who work as event organisers in the city, had to be treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for facial injuries and bruising.

Dan was yesterday still being treated at the hospital for severe concussion.

The attackers are believed to be a girl and two boys in their late teens.

Police are studying CCTV footage recorded in the area to try to identify the thugs.

Harriet said: "The first thing that happened was one of them threw a glass which hit Samantha on the head.

"She turned to me, not sure what had happened or where it came from, and then they set upon us.

"Dan was knocked unconscious in seconds and was out cold, the girl, who had long brown hair, tackled both me and Samantha to the floor and all of them began kicking us.

"Amazingly two girls then came to our defence and frightened them off.

"It felt like the attack had gone on forever but in reality I think it was just a couple of minutes.

"Samantha's face was covered in blood and we both honestly thought Dan was dead. He was cold and his eyes were at the back of his head – it was terrifying.

"The police and ambulance were there in minutes though and I can't thank them, or the girls that helped us, enough."

Samantha, of Stanmer Villas, Brighton, said: "We go out most weekends, Brighton is our home town and we've always felt proud of how safe it is.

"The attack has shocked us. We did not know the attackers and they did not know us, we did nothing to offend or provoke them we were minding our own business – I think they just wanted to take their anger out on someone and it was us."

Harriet's mother, Jennie Dack, said: "We would like to thank the girls that came to their aid and we hope the police catch the cowardly people who did this.

"They could have ruined so many lives, including their own."

Anyone with information about the attack should call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.