The father of a man stabbed to death in a pub fight has spoken of his devastation.

Peter Uttley, 33, suffered a chest wound during the brawl and died in hospital.

His father Brian broke down in tears as he talked about his son's life.

Mr Uttley said: "We are devastated. Peter liked a bit of fun and just enjoyed life.

"He worked hard and was devoted to his six kids.

"He loved motor racing. We just came back from Silverstone last week."

Peter, of Springfield Crescent, Horsham, who worked in his father's landscape gardening business, was in The Crown in the Carfax, Horsham, when the fight erupted at 11pm on Friday.

Customers saw him fall to the floor, bleeding from his chest.

They tried to give him first aid until paramedics arrived.

Mr Uttley, of Camelot Close, Southwater, was told about the attack by one of his son's friends and rushed to see him at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

He arrived expecting to find his son seriously injured but still alive.

Mr Uttley said: "A mate of his told me Peter had been stabbed. I did not take a lot of notice.

"I thought I would go to the hospital and everything would be all right.

"Within three minutes they told me he was dead.

"I was going to go into town but decided to visit him in hospital instead. I did not want to interfere.

"I have not seen his children yet."

Peter had two children with his wife, from whom he separated two years ago.

Mr Uttley said Peter had loved his estranged wife's four other children as his own.

The six youngsters were aged four to 16.

Peter also leaves two brothers and a sister.

Mr Uttley said: "Peter had worked with me as a man and boy, since he was nine years old.

"The only time he did not was for three years when he was in the Army, serving with the Royal Corps of Transport when he was 16."

More than 30 detectives are investigating the attack.

A 21-year-old man from Horsham and a 36-year-old man from Ashington have been arrested in connection with the inquiry. Police were still questioning them yesterday.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Hibbert appealed for anyone in the pub at the time of the stabbing to call 0845 6070999.