A YOUNG shop manager was stabbed five times by robbers today.

The two raiders were lying in wait as the manager was opening his branch of Currys electrical shop, off Old Shoreham Road, Hove at about 8am.

The victim was found lying on the floor in a pool of blood by staff as they arrived for work.

He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where he underwent emergency treatment to five puncture wounds in the stomach.

Police said the injuries were not life-threatening.

They have informed his

wife, who is pregnant.

Detectives were waiting to interview the manager to obtain more details of the raid, which happened inside the store just has he had unlocked the doors.

The two robbers escaped with more than £2,000 from the safe but it was unclear whether they had forced the manager to open it or had stolen his keys.

The offenders are believed to have escaped in a car

which drove at high speed along St Joseph's Close and into Old Shoreham Road.

Police are appealing for

witnesses and anyone who saw the attackers between 7.45am and 8.15am to contact Hove CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

One raider is 6ft 4in and wore a black baseball cap, Reebok trainers and jeans.

The other is 5ft 10in with dark hair.

Det Sgt Graham Bartlett, of Hove CID, said: "This was a particularly vicious assault and we urgently need to talk to someone who saw these two men."

Police were searching for the weapon and asked for anyone finding a knife to come forward.

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