Police said the man was injured after a bullet was fired from behind the house through the living room window at about 10pm last night (February 12).

His wife and stepson were in the house at the time but were uninjured.

Detectives are forensically examining the scene, cordoning off the area behind the house, which backs on to a recreation ground.

The man was treated at the Princess Royal Hospital where he received stitches to a wound before being released.

Sussex police ground forces and the Sussex Police helicopter were searching the scene throughout the night.

DCI Andy Griffiths, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We are not treating this as a random attack. Gun crime is not an issue across Mid Sussex and we are determined that it remains so. We urgently need to investigate this incident and I urge anyone who has information to come forward."

Officers are making house to house enquiries and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area that evening, or anyone with information, to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.