A have-a-go-hero was attacked with a sledgehammer as he chased away two burglars who were trying to break into a shop.

The 26-year old man was asleep in his flat above a shop when he was woken by a loud bang from outside.

On going downstairs he found two hooded men smashing open the shop door with a sledgehammer.

They ran off after he challenged them.

He chased them and saw them head to what he believes was a getaway car.

At that point he was hit in the face and leg with what he believes was the sledgehammer.

When he got up the car and men were gone.

The victim was treated at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, for minor facial and hip cuts and bruises, and was discharged the same day.

The two suspects were wearing dark jeans and hoodies and the car is described as a dark green or blue Mercedes estate.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The man acted promptly and robustly, and clearly prevented what could have been a high value burglary.

“But if it was the sledgehammer which hit him he was very lucky not to have sustained more serious injury.”

The incident took place above Scanstation, a computer repair shop in Rose Green Road, Bognor, at 2am on Sunday.

Call Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999.