Raiders who attacked a Mid Sussex shop worker with a noxious spray during an off-licence robbery are being linked with two other hold-ups.

A woman and a male accomplice demanded cash and alcohol from staff at Thresher in Station Road, Burgess Hill.

They sprayed a member of staff with the substance, leaving him in pain and discomfort.

And when two customers walked in during the raid, the duo calmly pretended to be staff. They tried to serve but said the till was faulty.

The duo left with an undisclosed amount of cash and a bottle of whisky after the incident on January 16 at 8.50pm.

Detectives hunting the pair today said they believe the robbery was linked with two other raids.

A member of staff at Unwins off-licence in Powis Road, Brighton, was sprayed in the eyes during a robbery between 1.50pm and 2pm on January 14.

The robbers got the employee to lock the door to stop customers entering and left with cash.

Both incidents are also believed to be connected with the attempted robbery of a taxi driver in Furze Hill, Hove, on January 15 at about 11pm. Details of this have not been released.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "There are similarities in the cases which we are investigating. We would urge anyone with information about these people to get in touch as a matter of urgency."

The man has been described as white, 50, 5ft 11in with grey curly hair and wearing a blue baseball cap.

Witnesses said the woman was also white with blonde hair tied up under a hat. She was wearing a brown leather- type jacket, lighter coloured trousers and glasses.

Anyone with information should contact DC Kerry Lynch at Haywards Heath CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.