Police are studying video tapes from Brighton nightclubs to see if the thug involved in a cannibal-style attack on a 34-year-old man was caught on camera.

Former train driver Paul Goscinski had part of his ear bitten off by a drug-crazed man in the attack near the Palace Pier.

Mr Goscinski has received a steady stream of messages of support from members of the public and friends have been rallying round.

Doctors at the Royal Sussex County Hospital are waiting for the 17 stitches he needed to his ear to heal before deciding how to rebuild it. Paul will be disfigured for life by the attack. He says: "I can't go out on my own because everybody stares at me. I cannot wear a hat that covers my ear at the moment because it is unhealthy.

"My ear is still throbbing but I am determined to go back to Brighton College of Technology next month and finish off my course in counselling.

"My main concern is that this animal who attacked me is caught before he does something similar to someone else. He was with a another man and three girls. They must know who he is. The police should hurry up and get the tapes and interview all witnesses as quickly as possible."

Police are still waiting to interview witnesses to the attack and have asked to see video footage from CCTV cameras at nightclubs close to the Palace Pier.

One witness says Paul was attacked by a young man with a skinhead hair cut who was wearing a white tracksuit and white baseball cap.

Staff working late at the Safeway store in St James's Street, Kemp Town, may have also seen the main attack which took place in Manchester Street by the side of the Hungry Years pub.

Paul, of Norfolk Terrace, Brighton, was first attacked while making a telephone call from a telephone box close to the Sea Life Centre. He was bitten on the nose by the attacker because he refused to let him use the phone he was talking on while there were three empty phone boxes next door.

After being bitten on the nose, Paul, who has served in the Army, followed his attacker. He tried to apprehend him in Manchester Street but was attacked by him and his friend.

While on the ground the man who had previously bitten his nose, bit into Paul's ear and ripped off the top half.

Shocked police officers called an ambulance and Paul was treated at the accident and emergency department of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The first man was bare chested and was between 5ft 10in and 5ft 11in, aged between 22 and 23. He had gleaming white teeth.

The "cannibal" was 5ft 9in, stockily built and was wearing a white tracksuit.

Both youths had skinhead haircuts.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "We are still awaiting to interview some of the witnesses to this attack."

Anyone with any information should contact Det Con Robbie Fuller at Brighton CID on 0845 6070999.