Enraged drinkers smashed windows and injured door staff after being told they were barred from a pub following an argument over missing change.

A doorman was bitten on the neck after four men kicked off at the Jacobs Post pub in Church Road, Burgess Hill, on a packed Friday night.

About 300 customers huddled at the back of the pub to avoid the violence as the men smashed windows from outside after staff locked them out.

Assistant manager Paul Batchelor, 32, said: “They thought that somebody else had nicked their change but they had not, because afterwards we found it on the floor.

“They had gone outside but as soon as they were told they were barred, it kicked off.

“They went to hit me but then I ducked and they hit the manager instead.

“We locked the doors so they could not get to us. They used their fists to smash the windows. They picked up poles from outside and used them.”

Mr Batchelor said the men had been buying their first drink but were thought to have been in a nearby pub before the incident.

He said: “They have been in here before and been as good as gold, but that one time they got the wrong end of the stick.”

Five bar staff and two doormen were working at the time and four men were arrested nearby by police.

A 45-year-old and an 18-year-old man, from Burgess Hill, an 18-year-old man, from Haywards Heath, and an 18-year-old man of no fixed address were held on suspicion of affray and bailed to September 6.

Witnesses to the attack on July 19 are asked to email 101@ sussex.pnn. police. uk quoting serial 32 of 19/07, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.