MASKED raiders punched and stabbed a man during a robbery.

The young men, believed to be between the age of 18 and 20 brandished knives at staff members inside the Post Office at Leybourne Parade in Lower Bevendean.

One staff member was punched repeatedly and was stabbed in the leg three times, police said.

Ambulance services attended the scene.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We attended the scene following reports of an assault shortly after 7.40pm last night.

"One patient was assessed and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital for further treatment."

The man was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital after the raid which happened shortly before 7.30pm last night.

Cigarettes and cash was taken by the trio, who then fled along Taunton Road.

CCTV images show the three white men, covering their faces during the robbery.

A man in a green North Face puffer jacket was seen vaulting over the counter.

He also wore grey jogging bottoms, black gloves and black trainers.

Another suspect spotted behind the counter was wearing a black jacket with two white stripes.

He also wore black trousers with EA7 written in white down the side.

The third man wore a dark blue North Face jacket and dark trousers.

It follows a robbery at the Post Office in The Avenue earlier this month.

On that occasion a man wearing a motorcycle mask went into the shop and demanded cash. The Argus report is here.

It is not clear if the offences are linked.

Police say patrols will be stepped up in the area. Now they have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with any information about the incident or the offenders is asked to report it to Sussex Police online or call 101 quoting reference 1103 of 16/01.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.