A reward of £5,000 has been put up after hooded robbers armed with axes staged a terrifying late night raid on a pub.

A worker from the Lamb Inn at Hooe, near Bexhill, took the pub's dog for a walk as the landlady and staff closed up.

Two men wielding axes leapt out from between cars in the car park before demanding cash at around 11.15pm on Sunday.

The man tried to fend the pair off with a parasol pole from a picnic table before one of them ran into the pub where the takings were being counted.

He stole a large amount of cash and cheques before fleeing in a car parked nearby along the A259.

Detective Constable Jon Stainsby, leading the investigation, said: "This was a particularly nasty and vicious attack which has left the members of staff involved shaken but luckily not injured."

Staff members are now set to receive counselling paid for by Bass Breweries which has also put up the £5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.

A spokesman said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for all those involved. We want to see those responsible apprehended as soon as possible.

"It has left those involved traumatised and we are determined that this does not happen again."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 6070 999.