Police are appealing for witnesses following an alleged doorstep confrontation between a letting agent and one of his unhappy clients.

Keith Youngs, who suddenly closed his Hove letting agency earlier this month, made a 999 call after landlord Tristan Farnworth visited to demand back the keys to his property.

Three minutes later, Mr Farnworth also called police, saying there had been a confrontation claiming his three West Highland terriers had been attacked by Mr Youngs' dogs.

Sussex Police are considering a series of complaints about Mr Youngs' firm Youngs Owen, which closed owing thousands of pounds to landlords, tenants and contractors.

Officers are now appealing for information regarding the latest reported incident.

Teacher Mr Farnworth, 36, of Tisbury Road, Hove, claims he is owed £2,000 in rent collected by the firm, which was not passed on to him.

He went to Mr Youngs' home in St John's Road, Hove, demanding the return of keys to the flat he was letting through the company.

Mr Farnworth took his two-year-old dogs Muffin and Mopsy and eight-week-old puppy Muttley.

When he was unable to rouse Mr Youngs he knocked on the front window.

Mr Farnworth said: "I hate confrontations but I thought I had a right to ask a few questions. I did bang on the window quite loudly. Keith told me to go away."

He said the front door then opened and Mr Youngs' dogs bounded outside, attacking his three dogs.

Police plan to take a formal statement from Mr Farnworth in the next few days.

Mr Youngs, 29, was unwilling to speak to The Argus.

Solicitor Korieh Duodu, speaking on his behalf, said: "He does not accept the version of events that has been given.

"He has made a complaint to the police, which is being investigated. He is not guilty of any threatening or aggressive behaviour.

"Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, it is not appropriate to make any further comment."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "The initial call was from Mr Youngs letting us know Mr Farnworth had been round and saying he did not owe him money.

"So far, police have not received any allegations from Mr Youngs, only from Mr Farnworth.

"We are actively investigating what happened and will be speaking with both men.

"There must have been quite a lot of noise at the time, so we're keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed what happened."

Claims for unpaid money by Youngs Owen clients who have contacted The Argus total more than £60,000, though exact figures have been disputed by Mr Youngs.

The Youngs Owen office in Western Road, Hove, has been closed since April 3.

The firm has applied to go into liquidation. Clients have been told to contact Sheffield-based insolvency practice Wilson Field, which plans to hold a creditors' meeting next month.

Sussex Police's commercial investigation unit is considering whether there is any evidence which would necessitate action against Mr Youngs in connection with the company's closure.

Anyone with information about the alleged incident involving the two men should call PC Steven Smethurst on 0845 6070999.