MASKED raiders attacked a pub landlord and a friend before fleeing with the takings on Sunday night (Aug 18).

Three men armed with baseball bats and a crowbars sneaked in to the Jolly Carters Pub in Bury and Bolton Road, Radcliffe, at 11.30pm through a side door.

Landlord Mr Ray Jenkins said: "I got a whack on my arm but my friend was hit with a crowbar. He was taken to hospital but discharged. He was quite badly bruised."

He added: "The pub was all but empty and I was talking to a friend when this happened. As soon as the last person left, they came in."

Mr Jenkins (43), who took over the pub in September, was marched to the office, forced to open the safe and hand over a quantity of cash.

He said: "I have been in the pub trade for four years and nothing like this has happened to me before. I'm trying not to think of it, I don't feel brilliant.

"You don't expect something like this to happen to a quiet local pub like this."

Despite being shaken by the raid, the pub was open as usual on Monday. The pub already has a number of security measures in place, such as closed circuit television, but Mr Jenkins said he would be reviewing them in light of what had happened.

Police are appealing for information on 856 8150 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.