Workers disturbed heavily armed burglars and found a bullet lodged in a window and walls and doors hacked with an axe at the house.

And a terrified farm hand said he had to duck as an axe was thrown through a window - narrowly missing his head.

Sussex Police spokesman said: "There are numerous lines of enquiry that I am following and hopefully one or more of those will produce results.

"There was a considerable amount of damage caused to the house, with the majority of the windows smashed.
Police are awaiting forensic confirmation about the bullets lodged in the wall inside the farm house.

"I would like to think even though it is a relatively rural area someone may have heard or seen something. If anyone heard anything please contact us."

If you have any information contact DC Graham Leaney on (0845) 60 70 999 quoting serial 1478/28 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555 111.


For exclusive pictures see this week's Observer - out Wednesday 3 December.