A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was attacked at her home near Horsham.

The 61-year-old woman was attacked by a man armed with a weapon in Emms Lane at around 4.30pm yesterday (Tuesday, February 18).

She was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where she underwent surgery for serious, but not life-threatening, injuries to her head and face.

Detective Sergeant Sian Harding said: "We do not believe this was a random attack and we are currently trying to establish the circumstances.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen a blue van, displaying a French registration plate, in the area on Tuesday afternoon or who may have information that could assist our investigation. Please call us on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Hawfinch.

"A French-registered van was located near a ferry terminal in Portsmouth later on Tuesday evening and the male occupant was arrested by colleagues from Hampshire Police."

The arrested man, a 54-year-old, remained in custody on Wednesday afternoon.