Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack which happened around the Carlisle Road and Sackville Gardens area of Hove.

The assault happened on 17 February but details of the crime have only just been released.

Sussex Police said the 49-year-old man was asleep in his sleeping bag when the incident occurred at about 1930 GMT.

It has been described as a totally unprovoked attack but details of the man's injuries have not been released.

Police want anyone with information to contact them.

They are particularly asking joggers, cyclists and people walking their dogs along the seafront to cast their minds back to the date of the attack.