A man died after he was ejected from a nightclub by two doormen, an inquest heard.

Michael Reynolds, 22, hit his head on the ground outside the Zap Club on Brighton seafront, fracturing his skull.

Mr Reynolds, a printer, died three days later at Hurstwood Park neurological hospital, Haywards Heath.

Jurors at the inquest at Hove Crown Court heard how, at about 2am on May 26 last year, Mr Reynolds was escorted from the club, in Kings Road Arches, after arguing with his girlfriend.

The bouncers, who were employed by a private security company, told the hearing they stumbled and fell as they led him out of the door.

Karl Lamley, of Fairway Crescent, Portslade, who was head of security at the club on the night, said Mr Reynolds was aggressive and struggling.

He said he and the other doorman, Lewton Hoffeldt, flanked Mr Reynolds to restrain him as they went outside.

But Mr Lamley stumbled to the ground in the foyer and the two other men toppled over.

Mr Hoffeldt, of Vernon Terrace, Brighton, told the court how he released his grip from Mr Reynolds' neck when he realised he was going to fall.

He said: "When the gentleman hit the ground I saw him hit his head."

The inquest heard how Mr Reynolds and his girlfriend, Kate Mayhew, travelled from Ruislip in London to Brighton for a night out with friends.

But the couple, who planned to marry, argued because he became jealous when she talked to another man.

During an angry confrontation, he was seen shouting at her and hit her in the face with a bag.

Miss Mayhew, from London, said: "He pushed me and I stumbled and fell to the floor. The bouncers came along and took him out.

"He was just angry for one moment. After that he would have been fine."

The inquest heard how the level of alcohol in his blood was four times the legal drink drive limit. A test showed he had 328mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood.

A jury is hearing the case because of the health and safety issues surrounding the circumstances leading up to Mr Reynolds death.

The jury is expected to return a verdict later today.