A teenage girl screamed for help when robbers tricked their way into her Brighton flat and threatened her with a gun.

The 17-year-old girl let two men into her home in Brookmead flats, Albion Street, at 8.15am yesterday after they rang the door bell claiming to be friends.

When they got inside she realised she had made a mistake and they threatened her with a handgun.

She screamed for help, hoping neighbours would come to her aid, and eventually the men ran off empty handed.

They escaped through the front entrance of the building, went round to the rear and ran through a group of people before heading towards Grove Bank.

The first man was black and aged about 30. He was 6ft tall, stocky and wore a black woollen hat, red tracksuit bottoms and a jacket which was either leather or quilted.

The second man was white, about 25 and wore olive green trousers, a black woollen hat and a silver grey quilted jacket. He was about 5ft 10in tall and of average build.

Police have warned residents not to open their doors to unexpected callers, particularly those claiming to be from gas, water or electricity companies.

Even callers carrying identification should not be admitted without first checking with the company they claim to represent.

They are appealing for anyone who was in the Albion Street area at the time of the attempted robbery or who saw the two men to contact Brighton CID on 0845 6070999.