Air pistols and ball bearing guns were stolen from an Army surplus shop as revellers heralded the new year.

They gained entry by smashing a window at the MFC Army Surplus Supplies store in Seaside, Eastbourne.

They smashed the glass door of a secure gun cabinet before fleeing with the handguns.

Police said the weapons could be potentially dangerous.

A spokesman said: "It is not illegal to hold such weapons but should they fall into inexperienced or young hands, they could be potentially dangerous.

"We would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious on the outskirts of the town centre during the New Year celebrations to contact us or Crimestoppers without delay."