A WOMAN has been left deaf in one ear after a hammer attack robbery in an alleyway.

She had been walking between Clifton Road and Pier Road in Littlehampton when she was approached by a man offering her drugs.

The 41-year-old victim refused, the man beat her about the head with a claw hammer, while a woman accomplice joined the attack, kicking the victim.

But police say another woman, who spoke with an East European accent, “bravely” interrupted the attack, with the two robbers running off with £40 cash from the woman.

The incident happened at 8.30pm on Wednesday, May 12.

It left the woman with multiple injuries to her face and head requiring stitches. She is also currently deaf in one ear which still requires medical treatment.

The narrow alleyway runs behind the Travis Perkins supplies depot and the Dinky Doo Diner cafe in Pier Road.

The man who wielded the hammer wore a blue zip-up jacket, and blue jeans, and the woman with him wore blue jeans and a grey top.

Detective Constable Jordan Holmes said: "We would very much like to speak to the woman who bravely disrupted this attack, and we ask her, and anyone else who has any other information, to contact us.”

As a result of police enquiries, a man aged 34 and a woman aged 33 were arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm, and robbery.

After being interviewed they were released on conditional police bail until June 14 while enquiries continue.

Anyone with information can report it to Sussex Police online or by calling 101, quoting serial 776 of 14/05.