A woman is recovering after being kidnapped by two car-jackers.

The terrified 67-year-old was taken on a one-mile terror ride from the Tiles R Us shop in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne.

She was in the passenger seat of a bronze Ford Fiesta parked outside the store when a man got into the driver's seat and a second jumped into the back.

As the car weaved through the narrow streets, the woman pushed open the door to call for help, forcing the driver to stop.

The men grabbed her handbag and fled.

Detective Inspector Tim Mottram, from Eastbourne CID, said the thieves had driven a mile towards Knoll Crescent before abandoning the car.

He said: "She was very shocked and is still shaken now.

"It's a big concern that someone is going to these lengths to apparently just steal a handbag.

"This is a very serious crime."

The car-jacking is believed to be the first of its kind in Eastbourne for more than a decade.

A rare souvenir £5 coin in the victim's bag was cashed at a betting shop the following day, officers discovered.

There have been a spate of attacks on older women in Eastbourne with handbags being snatched.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the car-jacking on Sunday.

They are also keen to hear from anyone who saw the offenders flee the scene at Hampden Park.

Call Detective Sergeant Owen Poplett on 0845 6070999.

Two men have been arrested and were yesterday being questioned by police.