The Government has applauded the tough sentences given to ten soccer thugs who smashed up a Brighton pub as they battled with rivals from another team.

Lord Bassam, who speaks for the Home Office in the House of Lords, said he hoped the jail terms handed out by a judge at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday would send a strong message to would-be hooligans.

The men were jailed for a total of 21 years for taking part in violent clashes with Leeds supporters outside The Pump House pub in The Lanes, Brighton, in October last year.

Terrified witnesses told how they shook in fear as chairs, tables and signs were hurled through the pub's windows.

Brighton and Hove Albion banned them for life from any of the club's matches.

They are also barred from going to all league matches and from being at England games at home or abroad for between seven and ten years.

The ten must stay out of Brighton city centre on Albion match days and will be barred from the Seagulls' new stadium at Falmer when it is built.

Lord Bassam said yesterday: "The police, the courts and the Albion are all to be congratulated for the tough action taken against those responsible for city centre violence following last season's home game against Leeds.

"When as Home Office Minister I introduced tough laws to clamp down on football hooligans back in 2000 this was exactly the sort of response we were looking for from the courts, the police and football clubs.

"I hope that the prison sentences, the high profile of the cases, and the fact that the club have imposed lengthy ground bans sends out an important message to those who use football for the use of violence and intimidation of others."