A father has told of his terror as he was attacked by a machete-wielding gang.

spoke from his mother's home in London, just hours after he was attacked outside his home in Freehold Street, Shoreham.

He told how he had to be resuscitated in the early hours of yesterday morning as police feared he would die from his injuries.

The 47-year-old said: “Thank you for all the concern. I appreciate the message. It was touch and go at one point with blood transfusions and resuscitation.”

He added: “I’m OK now, thank you, not allowed back at the flat yet, so licking wounds at mummy’s.”

Mr McGill was attacked at 2.30am yesterday.

Police believe three men were involved in the assault using a machete.

A neighbour and friend of Mr McGill, who asked not to be named, was woken by the noise of the attack.

The pensioner was in bed at around 2.30am yesterday when he heard “hollering”

and looked out of his window.

He saw a group of men swing a machete down on his friend’s head.

Mr McGill managed to flee the scene before collapsing in Buckingham Street, Shoreham. Police are hunting three white men.

The witness said: “There was blood all over the floor. I saw the machete come down and hit Scotty.

“It was awful. The police initially thought he had died.”

He feared the attack stemmed from a row over comments made on Facebook.

Detectives were set to examine Mr McGill's page on the social networking site yesterday.

Mr McGill’s friend said: “He’s a lovely bloke, always willing to help.

“He’s always saying, ‘Can I do anything for you’. He helps young offenders who have been released from prison.”

Another friend said on Facebook: “I heard he was axed. My friend’s son held him in his arms waiting for ambulance. Said he’d been axed in the face.”

Mr McGill was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Forensic officers examined Mr McGill’s flat in Freehold Street yesterday while a policeman searched bins attached to a nearby children's park for evidence.

Blood was splattered on the ground outside Mr McGill’s flat.

Detective Constable Andy Hobden said: “The victim is in a serious condition after being attacked by these men. This type of incident is very rare, especially in Shoreham.

“We are in the very early stages of this investigation but this is a serious incident and we urge anyone with information to come forward and call on us 101.