The 20-year-old was punched in the face when an argument broke out between him and another man near the Atlantis Nightclub on Eastbourne Pier in the early hours of Thursday last week.

The young man fell back and momentarily lost consciousness but came round and left the Pier with friends. The following day he became increasingly unwell and went to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

He was later transferred to Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath.

A spokesperson at the centre yesterday described the young man's condition as critical.

Police say the man, who lives locally, had gone into the nightclub at around 12.30am after celebrating a relative's birthday in pubs in Eastbourne.

A 28-year-old Eastbourne man has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently on police bail pending further enquiries.
Police are now appealing for witnesses.

Detective Inspector Ian Williams from Eastbourne CID said, "We are appealing for any witnesses to this assault outside the Atlantis night club last Wednesday night and in the early hours of Thursday morning.

This was an unprovoked attack which has left a man seriously injured.
"We are also interested in any witnesses who may have seen an altercation earlier that evening between a man and a woman in pubs in Eastbourne."

Police are also reassuring the public the incident was an isolated one.

District Inspector Tony Wakefield said, "Eastbourne has a good working relationship with the pubs and nightclubs around the town. This would appear to have been an isolated incident. We would like to thank staff at the Atlantis nightclub for their co-operation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact DI Ian Williams at Eastbourne CID on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 1390 of August 22 or alternatively people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.