A gunman shot a shopkeeper in front of horrified customers at a convenience store.

Caesar Zarate was serving people at his shop when he was confronted by a man with a gun.

Customers were leaving the store when the man opened fire at Mr Zarate.

The victim suffered wounds to his body and his face during the terrifying ordeal but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Police were trying to establish a motive for the attack but did not rule out robbery.

The shooting happened at Margery Road Stores in Portslade at 10.30am yesterday.

Mr Zarate was last night said to be in a stable condition at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton where he underwent surgery.

Officers said they had been searching for two suspects in connection with the shooting, including a man in his 50s who was believed to have fired the gun.

Police later said that a "number of arrests" had been made.

A police spokeswoman said: "The exact number of arrests cannot be revealed at this stage for operational reasons but the ongoing investigation is still fast-moving.

"Police would like to reassure the local community that everything is being done to bring the offenders to justice."

The police helicopter was scrambled and firearms officers joined the search for the suspects while witnesses were being interviewed at the scene.

Police cordoned off Margery Road Stores, a Chinese takeaway, two residential properties and an alleyway for several hours while forensic teams carried out searches.

Chief Supt Kevin Moore said: "At the moment we can't form any positive conclusion as to what the motive of the attack may have been."

He said it was too early to tell if the shooting had been an armed robbery, a personal vendetta or something else. He said: "Clearly, this is an extremely rare event."

Neighbours said there had been a knifepoint robbery at the store last year and the area had increasing problems with drug abuse and vandalism.

Dawn Wilkins, 48, of Stapley Road, Hove, who used to be an assistant at the shop, said Mr Zarate was highly respected.

She said: "The shop is right at the centre of the community and Caesar will keep it open until 7.30pm for people.

"He will help everyone out.

"He's such a family man - I'm devastated for his wife."

She added: "I don't know why anyone would want to do this. It's not as though Caesar keeps a lot of money there. It's just a little grocers."

Nick Leach, 19, had been looking after the shop for Mr Zarate while he was away on holiday in Italy for the last couple of weeks.

He saw Mr Zarate the night before the shooting and said they planned to go on a property development course together soon.

Mr Leach said: "I've been helping out at the store since I was about 13 and I've always helped Caesar out and he's always helped me out.

"He wouldn't hurt anyone and is always ready to do anything for you. If customers came in and couldn't pay or were a bit short of money, he would let them pay later."

Mr Zarate, originally from Peru, is married with three children and lives in the Preston Park area of Brighton.

Police today asked anyone with information to call 0845 6070999.