Thieves threatened a taxi driver with a handgun as they tried to rob him in a quiet street.

The driver quickly drove off and called the police after the two crooks demanded his takings.

Detectives searching for the two men hope members of the public may have noticed them hanging about because the weather was so bad.

The attempted robbery took place in Old Brighton Road in Pease Pottage, near Crawley, at about 6pm yesterday.

The first man is described as Afro-Caribbean, aged between 18 and 20, and wearing dark clothing.

The second man was white, aged between 18 and 25, and wearing light coloured clothes.

The men are thought to have run away towards Broadfield after the taxi drove off.

The driver was not hurt but was left shocked by his ordeal.

Detective Inspector Nick May, the head of Crawley CID, said: "Thankfully this type of incident is not common in the Crawley area.

"In this case the taxi driver seems to have been lured to a quiet spot on a horrible rainy night and threatened with a handgun.

"His quick actions saved him from being hurt and he did not lose any money."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crawley CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.