A judge has called for an independent inquiry into the actions of police officers accused of using excessive force during a brawl with bouncers.

Four doormen from Crawley, who had been taking part in a stag-night party, were charged with violent disorder over the clash outside the Honeyclub, on Brighton seafront, but a jury yesterday found two of them not guilty.

The others had already been cleared by order of the judge.

The case had gone to trial three times, at an estimated total cost of £1 million.

Two of the trials at Hove Crown Court had to be halted for legal reasons before the third reached its conclusion yesterday.

As well as calls for an independent inquiry, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has been called in and members of the stag party will also press for a number of officers to be prosecuted for assault. Details of which officers have not been released.

Former RAF policeman Ian Jackson, 37, of Roffey Close, Horley, was one of the defendants cleared. He sobbed as the verdict was returned and said outside the court: "I am immensely relieved that all of us have been cleared.

"Some officers behaved properly that night. Certain officers did not as the police video clearly showed.

"I told the jury that I was the victim of a cowardly attack by an officer who ran from behind me and struck me over the head with his baton. I stand by that."

His solicitor, Ivy Adams, said: "Complaints have been made to the Police Complaints Authority and the matter will be investigated by them. Regardless of whether any disciplinary action is taken against the officers concerned, we intend to press for a criminal prosecution against them.

"We will also be launching a civil action for compensation for the injuries suffered by Mr Jackson."

Mr Jackson, a 6ft 8in bodybuilder who weighs 22st, suffered a head wound which needed 15 stitches and has been left with an 8in scar on his forehead.

Simon Grimmer, 26, of Abinger Drive, Redhill, who was also cleared by the jury, said afterwards: "I am very, very happy - ecstatic. It was the right verdict."

Wayne Howell, 26, also of Roffey Close, and Robert Cohen, 26, of Climping Road, Ifield, Crawley, had earlier been acquitted after Judge David Rennie ruled the evidence against them was "so tenuous" it would be unsafe for the jury to continue hearing evidence against them.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman confirmed a complaint had been received and would be investigated by the PCA.

The professional standards department of Sussex Police is investigating the actions of PC Darren Egan, who hit Mr Jackson's head with his baton, and PC David Lovett, who is shown on a video of the incident hitting members of the stag party with his baton and seemingly kicking Mr Grimmer as he retreated.

He is also seen using his baton on a man being held on the ground.

Defence barristers had also questioned during the trial the actions of PC Spencer Scott.

Violence flared on March 1 last year when police were called to quell trouble between Honeyclub doormen and the Crawley bouncers.