A motorist was fighting for his life today after he was blasted in a drive-by shooting.

The man underwent emergency surgery and was said to be in a critical condition in hospital.

The gunman, apparently riding a motorbike with an accomplice, pulled up alongside the victim's new top-of-the-range silver Mercedes Benz at a countryside crossroads early today and shot him at point-blank range.

The attack happened just after 6.30am at Cripp's Corner, near Battle.

A woman in bed at the nearby White Hart pub said: "I was asleep but my husband heard the shooting. You can see the crossroads from our window.

"Police were here very quickly."

One woman in the area said: "It is normally so quiet and peaceful here. This is shocking."

The Mercedes, travelling west along Chitcombe Road, had pulled up at the crossroads.

Police found the victim's door open and his window smashed. Detectives think the gunman fired through the window.

They do not believe at this stage the shooting was a result of road rage.

The Sussex Police helicopter hovered above the scene this morning and the area was sealed off while forensic experts examined the car.

Detectives took one witness to the scene while others called at homes and businesses in the area in the hope of finding clues to the identity of the gunman.

An incident room was opened and the inquiry was being headed by Detective Chief Inspector Reg Hooke of the Sussex Police major crime branch, based in Hollingbury, Brighton.

Mr Hooke said: "The suspects on the motorbike wore yellow fluorescent tops and light-blue helmets.

"They drove off towards Hastings and we are anxious to speak to anyone, in the strictest confidence, who may have seen them."

Witnesses or anyone with information were being asked to call Mr Hooke or the incident room on 0845 6070999.