A MAN is in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed by a group of young men in a vicious attack.

The 55-year-old ran to the outbuilding of a house in Nicolson Drive, Shoreham, after hearing a woman screaming in distress.

As he rushed to her aid he was set upon by the thugs.

But he was able to land a powerful punch on the face of one of his attackers in the ensuing struggle.

Four people, all believed to be male, kicked in the door of the outbuilding a few minutes before 10pm yesterday.

The men assaulted a woman inside and a man who was with her, demanding money from the pair.

As the attack unfolded, a man from the house ran out to help the two victims.

But the group, who were all wearing face masks and balaclavas, then turned on him and he was stabbed several times, suffering severe injuries including a punctured lung.

During the assault, the man swung an arm at one of his attackers and struck them in the face.

It is believed he dealt significant damage to the man’s face and mouth, potentially knocking several of his teeth out.

After the attack, ambulance crews were called and the victim was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and required surgery.

He remains in hospital but police say he is in a stable condition.

Police are now investigating the incident and several people in Hazmat suits were seen at the house this morning.

The force said that officers will remain at the scene as enquiries continue and, though no motive for the attack has been established, it is believed the “location was not randomly targeted”.

The suspects are thought to have made off from the scene in a vehicle which may have been parked at the top of nearby Rosslyn Avenue.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “This was a violent attack involving a knife.

“The investigating officers would like anyone who witnessed anything suspicious, including a group of four people, in the area at about 10pm or who has any information about the incident to report online or call 101 quoting Operation Waterway.”