A man tried to rob a woman driver at knifepoint.

The 40-year-old victim was driving north in Wilson Avenue, Brighton, when she had to stop at a red traffic light at the junction with Warren Road at about 1am on Saturday.

While the car was stationary a man opened the front passenger door of the blue Ford C-Max, leaned in and threatened the woman with a small knife.

The woman said she did not have anything to steal so the robber closed the door and escaped. The victim drove home and then called police.

The man was white, about 18 or 19 and slim.

He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood pulled over covering his face.

Detective Constable Katy Hartley said: "The victim has been left very shaken by what has happened to her but has managed to give us a partial description of the offender which will hopefully stick in the mind of someone.

"This must have been a terrifying ordeal for her and I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and could help us catch the man responsible."

Call Sussex Police on 101.