A robber with an axe put two people in hospital when he tried to mug nightclubbers relaxing on a beach.

Friends Alexandra Kraloea, 23, and Louis Kirk, 31, of St George's Road in Kemp Town, Brighton, were sitting on the beach to the east of the Palace Pier with a female friend when a gang tried to rob them.

They had just spent an evening at the Volks nightclub in Marine Drive when they were approached by four young men - three white and one black - in their early 20s.

One of the four men demanded money from the group on the beach.

Mr Kirk said: "He came over to us and said: 'Give me everything you've got'. He produced the axe when I tried to talk to him.

"He hit Alexandra in the corner of her face with the axe. I grabbed it and didn't let go. They were throwing rocks and kicking me and I ended up unconscious."

Mr Kirk handed over his wallet but the would-be thieves dropped it in a panic after they realised what they had done.

He said: "I was covered in blood. I was on the floor for ten minutes trying to hold the axe.

"Two of the guys were just watching. They seemed shocked by what was happening."

The main attacker was white, about 25, 5ft 9in tall with medium length brown hair.

The second attacker was white, about 23, and had short, blond hair. The other two were younger, one white and one black.

Witnesses are asked to call police on 0845 6070999.