Armed police were today hunting a gunman who shot a man in both legs in a Southwick subway.

The victim was found in a pool of blood after being shot once in each leg during yesterday's daylight attack in the underpass.

The wounded man was last night recovering at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. His injuries, to the upper legs, were not thought to be life threatening.

Police launched Operation Cavendish after the man was discovered writhing in agony at the corner of Southwick Street and Old Shoreham Road.

Police have not officially named him but neighbours said he was a married man in his 30s.

He recently moved into a detached house he was renting with his partner. The couple have just had a baby.

Yesterday, police took the family away from the rented property, where they lived with three other children believed to be aged between eight and 14.

Inspector Chris Drew, sector commander of the Shoreham Division of Sussex Police, said: "We have yet to discover a motive but we believe the two men involved in this incident were acquainted.

"There is no need for the people of Southwick to be worried, as this is a one-off incident in an area which is usually very safe for residents."

The inspector said a member of the public phoned the police immediately after the shooting, which took place close to the underpass underneath the Old Shoreham Road.

A man carrying a plastic shopping bag was seen running away from the underpass at the time of the shooting, just before noon. Police sealed off the victim's home.

The police helicopter hovered overhead immediately after the shooting.

Gradually, the number of cordoned-off roads was opened to traffic throughout the afternoon.

Local residents were shocked by the shooting.

Jacqui Tanner, licensee for the Windmill Pub, close to the scene, said: "This is a quiet area. Nothing like this has happened in recent years.

"I came down from London to run a quiet pub and this is the last place I would expect something like this to happen."

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of Southwick Street and its junction with the Old Shoreham Road at the time to contact them on 0845 6070999.