An 18-year-old Eastbourne woman was sprayed in the face with a mystery chemical in a terrifying unprovoked attack.

She was waiting outside the railway station during the evening rush hour when the attacker struck.

She was approached by a man wielding a canister, which he sprayed directly in the face.

The man, who wore a dark-coloured tracksuit, fled as she tried to clear the sticky spray from her eyes.

The victim, who has not been named by police, was rushed to Eastbourne District General Hospital where tests were carried out.

The chemical, which police believe to be a synthetic substance similar to pepper spray, was cleaned from her eyes.

Doctors do not know whether there will be any long term effects. There were initial fears the girl could have been blinded.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "This incident left the girl extremely shaken up.

"It's too early to say if any lasting damage has been caused as she will have to re-attend hospital for further tests. She could have been blinded.

"We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen this incident. It must have been quite busy with people coming home from work and waiting for trains.

"We believe this unpleasant incident was unprovoked. It was certainly very upsetting for the victim."

Police were trawling through CCTV footage taken of the area for clues to the attacker's identity.

A number of witnesses have been interviewed but police are keen to trace anyone who was outside the station at around 6.45pm on Friday.

The offender is described as white and about 5ft 9in tall. Witnesses should call Eastbourne police on 0845 6070999.