A father of two has told of his terror after he was kidnapped and robbed by a knife-wielding gang at a cash machine.

Darren Stanford was bundled into the back of a car by a five-strong gang as he walked to a cashpoint from the Hare and Hounds pub in Preston Circus, Brighton.

The gang smashed his head into a brick wall before forcing him into the car at about 12.15am yesterday.

They held a knife to his throat and demanded £200 as he was driven to another cashpoint, believed to be in Kemp Town.

After Mr Stanford handed over the cash the gang drove off and he managed to stagger to his mother's house in Viaduct Road, Brighton.

Mr Stanford, who lives with his two young children in Moulsecoomb, Brighton, said: "I was just going to get some more cash out and was going to go back to the pub.

"Before I got to the bank in London Road, four blokes approached me.

"They just grabbed me and threw me against the wall and then chucked me into their car waiting nearby. I was so dazed I didn't even realise what was going on."

Mr Stanford said there were four black men and a white woman in the car. They drove further into Brighton and demanded £200 and Mr Stanford's wallet.

He added: "I'm a big bloke and I can look after myself but when you've got a knife to your throat it's a different matter altogether. I was very scared. The woman walked me to the cashpoint while the others watched. I handed over the money and they just drove off.

"With all the knife crime going on up in London, just seeing a knife sends a chill through you.

"It's such a busy street I didn't think anything like that could happen.

"That money was set aside for my kids so it's even harder to accept."

Despite his ordeal, Mr Stanford suffered only minor injuries. He was yesterday recovering with his family.

The car is described as a blue saloon, possibly a Ford Sierra, with blacked-out windows.

The gang were dressed in jeans and T-shirts and spoke with southern or London accents.

A police spokesman said officers were taking a report from Mr Stanford and an investigation is under way.

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