Revellers rushed from a Front Street nightclub when a massive brawl erupted and a man was stabbed.

Dozens of Police descended on Ozone Nightclub after the 20-year-old Devonshire victim was knifed in the fight.

His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening and he was last night said to be in a stable condition at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

A section of road near the club was temporarily sealed off as violence flared at about 2.15 a.m. on Saturday.

At least eight Police vehicles responded to the disturbance. And a Police spokesman said that the Police Support Unit and several uniform and non uniform officers were called to the scene to stamp out trouble.

When they arrived, he said they saw revellers "fleeing" the venue and officers confirmed the club had been damaged in the melee.

At 2.50 a.m. Police attended the hospital after a reported assault. They spoke to the young victim who told them he had been stabbed in the earlier fracas.

Witnesses said a number of youths were said to have been involved in the trouble, which erupted while the area was busy with locals and visitors leaving nearby bars.

One officer described the fight as involving 'loads" of youths. Another was heard advising onlookers to "go home now".

At least one man was seen being marched away in handcuffs, while the closed section of Front Street re-opened after about 15 minutes.

Attempts to contact the Ozone Nightclub for details on the extent of the damage caused at the venue were unsuccessful last night.

Anyone with information about the disturbance should call Sgt. Dennis Astwood on 295-0011.