A man suffered horrific head injuries when he was kicked and punched to the ground by two men in a homophobic attack.

The 29-year-old London man was left with a footprint on his head and broken bones after being viciously assaulted as he was walking in Kemp Town, Brighton.

The man was discovered at 3am yesterday outside St Joseph's Rest Home, in Bristol Street, by a female passer-by.

She initially thought the two attackers were kicking a bag but then realised it was a man.

The unconscious victim was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital suffering from severe head injuries.

In addition to the footprint on his face, he had severe swelling and bruising to the right side of his face, a fractured cheekbone, cuts to the back and left side of his head and, possibly, a fractured skull.

His attackers were white men in their mid-20s and about 5ft 8in tall.

Police are treating the attack as homophobic and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Call Detective Sergeant Russ Bagley of Brighton police on 0845 60 70 999.