The family of a woman stabbed in the face have offered a £10,000 reward to catch her attacker.

The 55-year-old Iranian woman was repeatedly stabbed in the face when she got out of her car outside her home in Aldsworth Avenue, Worthing.

Her family hopes the reward will encourage the public to come forward with information to convict the man responsible.

The woman, who has not been named and is still in hospital in London, underwent extensive reconstructive surgery on her face.

Police are no longer treating the attack as racially motivated but now believe it was pre-planned.

Detective Constable Kim Clinch, of Worthing CID, said: "We are treating this as a planned and deliberate attack.

"This is an extremely vicious attack and the victim will be left permanently scarred as a result of her injuries."

The woman was leaving the car when a man wearing a balaclava appeared from the side of the house carrying a knife.

He threw what was thought to be pepper into her face and threw her to the ground.

He cut her five times in the face and head and stabbed her in the buttocks using a seven-inch knife before making off into woods.

The attacker, who struck about 11.30pm last Thursday, was described as white, aged 35 to 45, 6ft, of medium build, with brown eyes.

He was wearing a grey or black balaclava.

The £10,000 reward is for information leading to the conviction of the woman's attacker.

Anyone with information should contact Worthing CID on 0845 6070999.

A 51-year-old man arrested on Friday was released on police bail pending further inquiries.