A PUB landlord, who was twice stabbed in the back when he fought with armed burglars, has been honoured for his bravery by police.

Andrew Grant suffered needed life-saving surgery after he caught two intruders trying to sneak out of the Hare and Hounds pub at Holcombe Brook.

Despite his injuries, Mr Grant, and a member of his staff, Oliver Chadwick, managed to restrain one of the attackers until police arrived.

Mr Grant and Mr Chadwick were presented with the Provincial Police Award in recognition of their outstanding bravery at Bury Town Hall yesterday.

Their actions led to one of the offenders being sentenced to six years in prison for the attack in September, 2002.

Mr Grant had been clearing up at the Hare and Hounds after closing, along with his wife and three members of staff. He went upstairs to his living accommodation and came across two intruders. As he gave chase across the landing, one of the offenders hit Mr Grant over the head with a metallic torch. Undeterred, Mr Grant followed the two men and found one of them escaping through a window. He was able to grab hold of the second man. During a violent struggle Mr Grant received several punches to his face.

The first offender reappeared armed with an eight-inch chef's knife and began to lash out at Mr Grant. He then passed the blade to his accomplice who stabbed Mr Grant twice in the back. Despite his injuries, Mr Grant continued to struggle with the knifeman and suffered further cuts to his hand. He eventually wrestled the knife from the burglar and threw it out of the window. Mr Chadwick, a member of staff, went to help Mr Grant striking the offender with a mop. He and Mr Grant managed to pin down the attacker until the police arrived.

One of the intruders pleaded guilty at Bolton Crown Court to burglary and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for six years.