WOMAN DRIVER SEES OFF CAR THIEF

The woman was parking her car near the Total petrol station on the Eastbourne Road at about 11pm on Tuesday last week. As she was unlocking the door of her Mazda MX5 a man ran up, grabbed her arm and demanded her car keys.

She refused to hand them over and was able to sound her car horn several times.

The would-be robber took fright and ran off up Coopers Hill.

He was described as white, about 5ft 8ins tall, in his 20s, of medium build and speaking with a local accent.

He was wearing a black, zip-fronted bomber jacket, black trousers and white trainers.

Sgt Dave Price from Hailsham Police said: 'This was a particularly unpleasant incident which left the woman very shaken. I am extremely keen to speak to anyone who might have seen a disturbance near the Total garage that evening.'

Information to police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial number 1755/06.02.06