A woman punched another woman in the head at a nightclub for dancing with a man she fancied, a court heard.

Nikki Sweet said she felt a blow on the back of her head as she stood in The Junction club in Brighton.

Miss Sweet, a bingo supervisor, said she turned to see Jodie Pepperell aiming another punch at her.

Miss Sweet - whose doorman brother is alleged to have later punched Miss Pepperell - told a jury at Hove Crown Court that Miss Pepperell had earlier seen her dancing with a friend, Paul Gunn.

"When we were on the dancefloor, she kept moving close to me. She kept looking at me but I did not think anything of it. I had not seen her before."

Miss Pepperell received a police caution for the attack.

Miss Sweet's brother Gavin, a doorman at the club, pulled Miss Pepperell off his sister as they struggled on the floor.

It is alleged that Sweet later followed Miss Pepperell outside and punched her in the face, knocking her out.

He told the court his sister asked Miss Pepperell why she had punched her.

He said: "Jodie called her a bitch and punched her straight on the nose and it started bleeding a lot. She was told to leave.

"A few minutes later me and Will (a barman) caught up with her in the Old Steine and I asked her what the incident in the club was all about.

"I just wanted an explanation. She started shouting and swearing and was kicking at me. She'd had a lot to drink and was screaming and being aggressive.

"I pushed her away from me with one hand on her shoulder and walked away. I did not punch her."

Barman Will Duggan said he saw a fist make contact with Miss Pepperell's face as she struggled on the floor.

He said he noticed that she had marks on her face when they were still inside the club and again when he went with Sweet to find her after she had left.

Sweet, 21, of Bexhill Road, Woodingdean, denies causing Miss Pepperell actual bodily harm on March 16. The trial continues.