A clubber sprayed with ammonia in a homophobic attack outside a popular nightclub in south London’s “gay district” has been warned by doctors he could lose his eyesight.

The man, who the Standard has agreed not to identify, is one of three victims doused with concentrated ammonia solution in premeditated attacks at around 4am yesterday.

Police today issued CCTV images of a bearded man and two younger women who they would like to identify in connection with the attacks outside the Lightbox club in South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall.

The 23-year-old from south-west London and a male friend, aged 21, had struck up conversation with the trio outside the club after being refused admission because it was past closing time.

When the women, said to be East European, discovered the pair were gay they began screaming homophobic abuse.

The victim said: “As we walked away I heard a man shout ‘Oi! Come here.’ At first I thought it was the doorman saying he’d changed his mind and we could go in.

“Then I saw this white guy with a beard, and his hand coming up with a water bottle that he squirted really hard into my face. It went right in my eyes and it sprayed into my friend’s mouth.

“My face was burning so much, I thought it was acid. I thought I would never see again and my face was melting.

“He poured every last drop onto us and then turned around and walked away, like it was mission accomplished.

“The chemical burnt the cornea in my left eye and the vision hasn’t cleared since. The doctors said it should hopefully return but there is no guarantee.

“My friend’s tongue was swollen and it looked like someone had scratched part of it away. It was horrible. ”

The victim, who had been out clubbing in Leicester Square earlier in the night, added: “I feel this was a hate crime given where we were and the situation with the two girls.

“What’s playing on my mind is the fact that this guy has left his flat and thought ‘wallet, keys, bottle of bleach.’ The guy has gone out with the intention of blinding someone.”

Minutes later a third man was doused with the chemical just yards away. Police believe the same man was responsible for both incidents.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “In the first incident, at approximately 4am on Sunday, the substance was sprayed at two men outside the Lightbox nightclub in South Lambeth Place, Vauxhall.

“This followed a verbal exchange between the two men and a group outside the venue.

“Following comments made during the exchange, this incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime.

“A short time later, police were made aware of a third man who had also been sprayed in the face with a substance in the vicinity of the nightclub. No motive is known for this incident.

“All three men were treated at hospital and their injuries are not believed to be serious. Officers believe the same man was responsible for both incidents.”

Mark Williams, of Orange Nation which owns the Lightbox venue, said: "Unfortunately, there was a homophobic attack outside the cafe by Vauxhall Bus Station early on Sunday morning. This was an isolated incident and we have been speaking to police since it occurred, including supplying them with our CCTV footage of the local Vauxhall area. The police have confirmed there is no direct link with the venue or our customers.

"Our doors were closed at the time of the incident, with no gay events at the Lightbox that morning. Our extensive commitment with the council and Vauxhall One to provide a safe environment for everyone continues. Our thoughts go out to the victims of this awful attack and we wish them a speedy recovery."

Officers from Lambeth Community Safety Unit are investigating and ask anyone who recognises the people in the images, or has information about the incidents, to contact them on 0208 649 2176 or 07909 906 168.