A former mayor arrested after a fight which left another man needing seven stitches will be quizzed by his party leader.

The Argus revealed yesterday how East Sussex county councillor David Neighbour was questioned by police following the punch-up on Saltdean beach on Saturday.

In a statement to police, Nigel Heasman accused Coun Neighbour of grabbing his wife Tanya in a headlock before lashing out at him, a claim the councillor denies.

Coun Neighbour admitted to The Argus he had "thumped" Mr Heasman and another man, Ken Tancred, but insisted he was acting in self-defence.

Councillor David Rogers, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the county council, said he was unaware of the incident until approached by The Argus.

He said: "I would certainly wish to discuss it with Coun Neighbour."

Police took a statement from Mr Heasman after he received treatment to his wounded left ear at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

They are due to visit him again tomorrow to take a statement from Mrs Heasman.

Mrs Heasman said she had politely asked Coun Neighbour to move bicycles he had propped against a neighbouring beach hut, fearing they could fall and hurt her children.

She said he refused and when she tried to move one of the bikes, he grabbed her by the hair and held her in a headlock.

Mr Heasman intervened, but said he only hit Coun Neighbour to fend him off after coming under a barrage of unprovoked blows.

Fellow beach hut owner Mr Tancred admitted punching Coun Neighbour in the face after his six-year-old daughter had become upset by the fight and Coun Neighbour tried to hit him back.

Coun Neighbour, who was later released without charge, told The Argus: "I defended myself. I was thumped by the two men so I thumped them back."

Mr Heasman has said he will let the matter drop if he receives an apology from the councillor, who has served as mayor of Telscombe for three terms.