A GANG of five wielding guns and machetes burst into a flat and robbed three people in their home.

The victims were at home in Adelaide Crescent, Hove, at about 11pm on Saturday night when the men broke in wielding the weapons.

They threatened three men living there, aged 18 and 21, and took a Rolex watch and a wallet containing cash and bank cards.

The 18-year-old was also hit over the head for which he needed medical treatment.

A Sussex Police spokesman added: "They made off in a car which had the livery of a Brighton and Hove licensed taxi, probably dark grey, which drove off leaving one of them behind.

"He ran after the vehicle and jumped in while it was on the move, setting off towards the seafront.

"Enquiries show that the vehicle had recently been sold and is no longer a licensed taxi."

One of the suspects is described as black, two are white, one is of mixed race and the fifth is described only as wearing black or dark coloured clothing.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

It is the latest in a string of armed robberies in Brighton and Hove.

On June 15, two men in balaclavas robbed Tesco Express in Denmark Villas, Hove, one of whom jumped over the tills and threatened a staff member with a knife.

And on July 31 in Kemp Street, Brighton, a man threatened a woman with a six-inch serrated blade, ordering her to drop her bag.

He escaped with the £2.50 in the bottom of her bag. Sussex Police said.

Detective Sergeant Cheryl Lewendon, leading the investigation into the Adelaide Crescent robbery, said: "We are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact us."

Email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.org by calling 101, quoting serial 1658 of 13/08.