SKINHEADS on their way to a reunion were set upon by "anti-fascist" demonstrators who mistook them for nationalists, according to one of the group.

The four Polish men had left their hostel to get some breakfast before the reunion on the seafront when they were allegedly confronted by the masked demonstrators.

One of their targets, whose identity The Argus agreed to protect, said: "About 20 people came towards us saying, 'where you come from, lads?'

"I said we had come down for the skinhead reunion and they attacked us straight away.

"They attacked our friend. We ran away - I am not stupid, it was like five to one.

"Then we came back for our friend."

Police arrested 13 people on suspicion of violent disorder following reports of an assault in Ship Street at around 9.30am on Saturday.

It was not clear whether this was the same incident as that alleged by the skinheads.

About 300 demonstrators marched through the city shortly afterwards in protest at a planned anti-refugee march organised by far-right groups that failed to materialise.

Brighton police chief Nev Kemp said some demonstrators were ready to attack "any bald men who looked right-wing".

The Great Skinhead Reunion held in Madeira Drive on Saturday had nothing to do with either of the planned marches or their organisers.

The Polish skinhead who spoke to the Argus added: "We stayed in our hostel [the Grapevine on the seafront] talking about what happened. It was not a nice experience for us.

"Then about 20 minutes later the march came past our window and they starting shouting, 'we are finding fascists so come down' to our room.

"Seriously, what can I say. I am not a fascist, I am an anti-political person, I am just coming here to have fun."

He said a medic checked his friend over at the hotel and he was not seriously hurt.

He said he eventually made it to the reunion which was "fun - there was lots of alcohol."

Far-right groups South Coast Resistance and the Pie and Mash Squad had announced a march but did not turn up on the day.

The latter told the Argus they never intended to but "wanted to show the left up for the anti democratic rabble that they are."

A police spokesman said officers went into the Grapevine hostel on Saturday morning (4 June) after a man was seen shouting at the protestors from an upstairs window which caused the procession to stop.

He said: "A number of men were spoken to inside the building.

"A man in the building told police he had been assaulted earlier that morning and that he had already reported this to police.

"A statement is due to be taken from him as part of our ongoing investigation.

"Three men from Brighton, one man of no fixed address and one woman of no fixed address, arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, have been bailed to 26 July pending further enquiries.

"Three men and two women from Brighton, arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, have been bailed to 27 July pending further enquiries.

"Three men and one woman from Brighton, arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, have been bailed to 28 July pending further enquiries."