A man has been shot in the arm by a masked gunman.

Police and ambulance crews were called to reports of several shots being fired at the property in West Street, Burgess Hill, on Friday night.

The 22-year-old victim, named by police as "Basher" Carden, 22, was treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, and then released.

He was said to be visiting Paul Stenning and his young family when the gunman opened fire.

Detectives said they were unsure of the motive for the attack, for which no one has been arrested.

One neighbour said: "I heard three shots. It was terrifying, like something out of the war.

"I just feel like we're not safe anymore. The kitchen window and the boy's bedroom have bullet holes in them.

"Now I'm really worried. Are those people going to come back? My children want me to move out but why should I leave my own house over it?"

"I saw Basher in the town afterwards and said do you have to come to West Street to get shot?'. He just laughed."

Armed police were called to the scene at 8.20pm on Friday after neighbours reported shots being fired.

They found the victim with a gunshot wound in the upper arm. Police said Mr Carden had been shot with a small handgun.

Neighbour Jillian Peccinotti said: "I heard the gunshots after EastEnders. I thought it was fireworks but looked out of the window and couldn't see anything.

"Then the police came. The girl in the house was hysterical, understandably. It seems like the house was shot up but I don't know why.

"They've got a little one in there. I was worried that he might have been caught up in it."

Neighbours were trapped in their homes as police sealed off the street and a helicopter circled overhead for two hours.

More than a dozen officers surrounded the street on Saturday as forensic teams swept the inside of the property and cars parked outside.

St John's Common, behind the property, was also searched by officers looking for the weapon.

Andre Burel, of West Street, said: "I heard someone say My mate got shot' just walking past, but I didn't hear anything.

"Then from about 10pm until 11.30pm the police blocked off the whole of the road."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I've known the family who live in the house ever since I've been here. They're no trouble at all.

"This is a terrible shock. You just don't expect it do you? I just hope they're okay."

Lionel Barnard, who represents Mid Sussex on the Sussex Police Authority, said: "This is entirely unexpected and probably a one-off but I won't comment further until I've had a full briefing from the police."

Police are appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman said: "This is an isolated type of incident for the area and the officers dealing with it are trying to establish the motive for the attack."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 6070999, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting Operation Elastic.