An Eastbourne gardener has told a jury he was acting in self-defence when he hit a man over the head three times with an axe.

Frederick Edwards said he did not mean to seriously hurt Andrew Williams but he was frightened he was going to be killed.

Edwards, 35, of Hawkhurst Close, has denied attempting to murder Mr Williams at his trial at Lewes Crown Court.

He also denies maliciously wounding Mr Williams with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Mr Williams, 37, suffered serious head injuries, including a fractured skull, during a fight between the two men outside Edwards' home in May last year.

The court has heard how a dispute over wages Mr Williams claimed he was owed by Edwards for clearing an overgrown garden in Bexhill sparked trouble between the two men.

Edwards said he was sitting at home with his girlfriend, Tracey Essex, watching television when they heard a commotion outside as Mr Williams tried to smash the glass in their front door and force his way inside.

Edwards said he armed himself with an axe and went outside because he feared his girlfriend was at risk if Mr Williams got into their flat.

He said he told Mr Williams to go away and leave them alone. He said he was scared of Mr Williams and alleged he had threatened to stab him since the dispute had broken out between them a few weeks earlier.

He said: "He looked over to me and said, 'Come on, let's have it'. He had a claw hammer in his hand. He ran quickly towards me. He was trying to hit me."

He said during a violent struggle on the garden path, he hit Mr Williams in self-defence with the axe but he denied trying to kill him or cause serious harm.

He said: "I did not want to kill him. He would not stop with the hammer. He was in a mad rage. I just had to do something to save myself. I just wanted him to leave me alone. I just wanted him to stop."

He said the fight was over in about two minutes and then Mr Williams, who was still standing, collapsed to the ground. He shouted out for his girlfriend to call an ambulance.

Edwards said: "I regret everything from start to finish. It has just been a nightmare. I wish we could have sorted it out in another way. I am sorry I hurt him."

Earlier Mr Williams told the jury he had no memory of the fight.

He recalled drinking heavily in a pub that day and taking drugs, including heroin. The next thing he remembered was waking up in hospital.

Mr Williams, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is still receiving treatment for his injuries.

The trial continues.