A row has broken out after language schools warned foreign students to stay out of a town centre during the World Cup, especially when England were playing, or risk being attacked.

The warnings in Eastbourne were agreed on Tuesday at a meeting of the town's language school principals, the Overseas Students Advisory Committee.

Graham White, principal of the Eastbourne School of English, said: "We have advised all our students to stay away from places where there could be more than average drinking and they might become involved, unwittingly, in dangerous situations."

However, Sussex Police and language schools in Brighton and Hastings have argued that the measures are an over-reaction that will scare students.

Adam Bates, from Brighton's language schools' committee, said: "It's a celebration of sport and nothing should prevent people from joining in. Ours is a tolerant and welcoming community where foreign students have been coming for years. There hasn't been a problem for them during other tournaments and there's no reason why there should be one this time."

Eastbourne does not have a history of violence against foreign students during football tournaments and Sussex Police said it was not expecting problems during the World Cup.

A police scheme, called Operation Columbus, has already been launched to protect the safety of foreign students visiting Sussex.

Hastings language schools said they would not be trying to restrict the movement of their students during the tournament. A spokesman from the Hastings English Language Centre said: "We're happy to have students go out. We've even checked with two pubs that they don't mind if a group of our pupils go to watch matches there."

Hundreds of football supporting students are expected at Eastbourne's language schools this summer, including large numbers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, South Korea and the Czech Republic, all of whom are competing in the World Cup.

They will be warned to stay away from Eastbourne's pubs and advised instead to watch matches at their schools or other locations. They will also be told not to wear their countries' team shirts if they do go out .

Mr White said: "We want the students to be able to fully enjoy the World Cup but their safety has to come first."

Supt Kevin Moore, of Brighton Police, said: "We are not expecting any problems for foreign students."