Armed police hunt gun raider

The armed robber escaped with around 200 in cash.

Monday afternoon's raid on quiet Marina News on the corner of Marina and Eversley Road follows a series of similar attacks in Hastings and Bexhill.

Now off-licence and store owners are being warned to be on their guard.

Senlac police division has mounted a special operation, code-named Mica, in a bid to counter the problem.

The frightened assistant at Marina News gave police a description of the man but was unable to say in which direction he had fled.

Inspector Max Mosley said armed response officers wearing ballistic jackets searched the area, including the railway station, but without success.

A dozen officers were involved in the hunt. The gunman was said to be male, white , 24-28, 5ft 6ins-5ft 8ins and of slight buil d with a blond moustache. He was wearing a grey hooded top..

Police are checking town centre CCTV system footage.

A spokesman said: "Police are advising staff at such premises to be extra vigilant. They are also asking that anyone who may have witnessed any incident to contact them at the Operation Mica incident room on 01424 456018 or free on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."