Axe-wielding raiders forced workers at a Brighton hotel to lie on the floor as they tried to rob a safe.

They grabbed one employee as she went to a rubbish bin outside. She screamed and they followed her as she broke free and ran into the hotel for help.

Staff at the Black Lion hotel in London Road, Patcham, were forced to lie face-down as the men ordered the assistant manager to open a safe.

Security measures stopped the safe from opening and the would-be robbers fled empty handed.

Detective Constable Jon Hull said: "Staff were terrorised by these men and we need assistance from the public in tracing them."

The hand axe, with a 12in wooden handle, appeared new and he appealed to owners of hardware shops who may have sold one recently to come forward.

Police also want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious at the hotel to get in touch.

Both men were black and spoke with South London accents.

One was 6ft 2in tall and wore a black and red bandana, woollen hat and gardening gloves. The other was 5ft 8in and wore a similar hat and black trainers.

Anyone with information should contact Brighton CID on 0845 6070999.

The raid happened at midnight on Saturday.