A gay Italian tourist visiting Brighton needed emergency surgery after his throat was slashed with a razor blade.

The man was walking past the Tin Drum restaurant in St James's Street with a friend when he was pounced on by two men.

They cut his neck and fled, without saying a word.

The 22-year-old victim was taken to hospital and needed 11 stitches to the 3in wound.

Police are treating the incident, which happened at 3.30am on Saturday, as a homophobic attack.

Detective Constable Jan Dempsey, of Brighton and Hove police, said: "It was a completely unprovoked attack which could have left the victim with life threatening injuries.

"He has got a scar on his throat, across the jugular vein.

"We want to talk to anybody who saw anything and ask them to contact Brighton police."

Police said the two attackers, described as 20 to 25 with dark hair, were both wearing dark coloured clothes.

Anybody with information about the attack should contact police on 0845 6070999.