A man is seriously ill in hospital after he was smashed around the head with pieces of wood as he walked home.

The victim was with two friends when he was assaulted by a gang of five men at around 4.15am yesterday.

He suffered multiple fractures of the skull and was last night in Worthing Hospital, although the injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

The man, who is thought to be in his 20s, was in Railway Approach, near Worthing train station, when he was struck.

Officers sealed off the area and were yesterday collecting forensic evidence from the scene.

Detective Constable Tony Tyler, from Worthing CID, said: “The man was attacked with items on the street.

“We recovered pieces of wood that could have been involved.”

Police believe the incident could have followed an argument between some of the men earlier in the evening.

A 25-year-old man from Worthing was arrested at 8.30am yesterday on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Detectives said yesterday they were still looking for others in connection with the attack.

The Worthing attack came hours after one reveller was stabbed several times on Brighton seafront and another was slashed with a weapon in what police described as an unprovoked attack.

The 29-year-old victim, who was visiting the city from Hertfordshire, was attacked while walking with friends along Madeira Drive at 1am on Saturday.

A friend of the victim tried to intervene during the attack and was also hurt.

Detective Sergeant Helen Campbell, from Brighton CID, said: “It appears to us to be a completely unprovoked attack.

“The victim had several puncture wounds to his upper body.”

The 29- year-old was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in a serious condition but had recovered enough to be released yesterday.

Green councillor Paul Steedman, of Queens Park ward, spoke of his shock at the incident.

He said: “It sounds like a deplorable incident and my heart goes out to the group of people who have suffered this atrocious thing.

“What must be emphasised is that Brighton is a very safe place and that this is rare.

That is why it’s so shocking.”

A man from London was arrested a short distance from the scene of the Madeira Drive attack after passers-by rang the police.

Detectives charged a 22-year-old man with grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm yesterday but refused to name him.

He was due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Anyone with information about either attack should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.