Detectives hunting gunmen who shot a security guard in the face in front of Christmas shoppers are treating the incident as attempted murder.

The Securicor guard was seriously injured after being blasted in the face at close range in High Street, Hastings.

He was about to deliver cash to a dispenser outside Shelley's food shop when the pair pounced.

As the guard tackled them, one pulled out a gun and shot him in the lower face and mouth.

The men fled with the case through Post Office Passage into Winding Street, where they jumped into a getaway car.

A gold A-registration Ford Granada was later found abandoned near Fairlight Road.

Detective Sergeant Geoff Childs, of Hastings CID, said a number of witnesses had come forward.

He added: "It was an audacious yet callous attack in broad daylight in front of Christmas shoppers.

"Whoever did this can certainly face a charge of attempted murder when they are caught."

The guard was taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, then transferred for specialist surgery in East Grinstead.

His injuries are not life threatening but the bullet broke his jaw and blew out several front teeth.

A colleague was also taken to hospital for injuries sustained in the struggle and a third was treated for shock.

The two men were white and wore dark waist-length fleeces, striped blue and yellow woollen hats and scarves, and light blue jeans.