A man who intervened when two women attacked his girlfriend was hit with a high-heeled shoe and kicked repeatedly in the face.

One attacker hit the man with her stiletto heels just above his right eye.

Police recovered a shoe at the scene and are now hunting its owner and her accomplice.

The victim, Dan Penner, a 28-year-old product manager, said: "I couldn't believe it. It was like something out of a film. It was disgraceful."

Mr Penner, who lives in Hove and works in Burgess Hill, suffered a suspected broken nose and split lip and needed 20 stitches to cuts.

He and his girlfriend had been at a club and were in Brunswick Road, Hove.

The attackers, one a white woman and the other of mixed race, began chatting to the man.

When his girlfriend pointed out he was with her one attacker shouted: "White trash" and assaulted her.

Mr Penner said: "I jumped in between them and they began hammering me with their shoes."

Mr Penner said he did not retaliate and tried to protect himself.

He said: "I was knocked to the ground and they kept kicking me in the face."

He was knocked out and his girlfriend screamed for help as the offenders fled.

Mr Penner was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

The mixed-race woman had long, black hair and the white woman had short, blonde hair. One wore a black vest top and denim skirt.

The attack happened at 2am on Sunday but details have just been released. Police are appealing for witnesses to call 0845 6070999.