A TEENAGER pointed a gun at a woman, demanding she hand over her car keys, but she refused.

The 44-year-old was confronted in Wilbury Road, Hove, by a teenage boy wearing a mask and pointing what appeared to be a gun at her, demanding that she hand over her car keys.

The incident happened at around 2pm yesterday (May 18) outside Nash Watsons estate agents.

After the woman stood up to the armed youth, the boy ran off empty-handed along the B2066 Church Road and into The Drive.

Armed officers were among police who searched the area in an effort to trace the offender but he had disappeared.

He is described as about 17 years old, white, 5ft 8in, skinny, with a local accent. He was wearing a blue and white hooded jacket or tracksuit top and a black scarf masking his face.

Detective Sergeant Cheryl Lewendon of Brighton CID said: "This appears to have been a spontaneous, isolated incident and no one was hurt.

"However, we're clearly concerned that some sort of weapon was involved and would ask anyone who saw what happened or noticed a young man acting suspiciously to contact us without delay."

Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 834 of May 18.

Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.