A have-a-go hero's nose was broken when he tried to stop three men raiding a building society.

The cabin crewman for a Gatwick-based airline, who has not been named, was smashed against a security screen as the raiders fled empty-handed.

Three men stormed into the Nationwide Building Society in Church Road, Hove, at 9.30am on Friday.

Two of them leapt over the counter while the third stood guard at the front door.

Staff realised what was happening and hit panic buttons which activated security screens, trapping two of the men behind the counter.

When they realised the raid had been foiled, the raiders forced their way from behind the counter through a security door.

As they emerged, the crewman, who is in his 20s, tried to tackle them but was thrown against the screen.

He suffered a broken nose and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Detective Inspector Graham Pratt, of Hove police, is appealing for witnesses.

He particularly wants to hear from a taxi driver who told officers he had seen the men get into a car parked nearby.

A second man handed details of the car to a member of the building society's staff soon after the raid.

Mr Pratt said: "This is what we term a steamer raid, where no weapons are used.

"The suspects ran into the building, slammed the door open and made a lot of noise to create confusion.

"They then leapt over the counter and tried to grab whatever cash they could before attempting to make their escape."

He said the three men involved were all black and wore dark clothing. They failed to get any cash.