Police have warned landlords to tighten up security after three pubs closed early due to violence following England's opening World Cup match.

The most serious incident was at The New Bush in Arundel Place, Brighton, which could be stripped of its licence after a mass brawl outside the premises just a day after it opened.

Officers used emergency powers to close the pub at 8pm on Saturday after a fracas which eyewitnesses say involved up to 60 people.

Police have ordered an urgent review of the pub's licence to be heard by magistrates on Thursday.

The Gemini Bar in Kings Road Arches and Henry J Beans in West Street both also closed early on Saturday because of fights involving customers.

Chief Inspector Steve Barry, of Sussex Police, warned proprietors to ensure they have enough security and door staff for matches involving England over the coming weeks.

He said: "This is a timely reminder to all licensees that we are monitoring the situation closely. Bear in mind England won on Saturday, the atmosphere was generally good and there were not too many problems.

"If England lose it could well be a different story, and any licensees that do not take on adequate levels of security and door supervisors could end up with egg on their faces."

Many revellers started drinking well before England's game against Paraguay kicked off at 2pm on Saturday. Many then continued drinking into the evening.

England next play Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday at 5pm, before taking on Sweden next Tuesday at 8pm.

The New Bush only opened on Friday after being converted from the Chez Nous restaurant. After reports of an incident outside the pub between 7pm and 8pm, police sent five cars to the scene, making two arrests and issuing several £80 on-the-spot fines for disorderly behaviour.

One man suffered minor facial injuries.

Chief Inspector Barry said: "We have asked for a review of the licence at The New Bush. It's about how we feel the premises is being run and whether the licensing conditions are being abided by."

He confirmed there was no history of trouble at the premises, which was formerly called The Bush.

Doug Greenland, co-owner of The New Bush, said he had learnt lessons as a result of the incident outside his pub.

He said: "It's a case of rotten luck rather than bad management. We're gutted.

"It was a hot day, there was an early kick-off and a minority of people got out of hand. It happened outside the pub so we had no direct control, although they were our customers.

"I can't believe it happened a day after we opened but it is a very harsh lesson learned. We will not tolerate behaviour of this kind."

The New Bush was closed on Saturday night and all day Sunday but opened again yesterday.

Mr Greenland said the pub has now introduced a number of measures including banning under-25s, employing doormen for England games and serving drinks in plastic glasses.

He added: "I'm not sure how they can judge us on one day's trading, even though it was a bit of a disaster. We are co-operating fully with the police."

Mr Greenland's business partner Shelley Barker said they had written to neighbours apologising about the incident.

She said: "We invested a lot of money refurbishing and decorating this place.

"We want to run a respectable, responsible family pub and this was a hiccup. We do not have previous experience running a pub but we employ a manager who does."

Commenting on the closures at The Gemini Bar and Henry J Beans, Chief Inspector Barry said: "We did not force those two to close, they volunteered after we raised concerns because we thought the level of security they had in place bearing in mind the football match was inadequate."

Gemini Bar manager Chris Gur said: "There was an altercation but it was no worse than what could happen on a regular Saturday. As far am I'm concerned we had adequate security and I have no concerns about future football games."

Matt Warren, manager of Henry J Beans, said: "There was a fight between a couple of guys at about 12.45am so we decided to close.

"I'm not sure it was football-related but I suppose people had been drinking all day because of the match. We had no other trouble that day. It's the sort of thing that unfortunately happens occasionally.

"Security were on to it very quickly and I am happy with the way it was dealt with and that our arrangements are more than adequate."

Initially Sussex Police told The Argus it had been a quiet evening after England's first game.