THE manager of a Radcliffe pub was attacked and robbed of around £8,000 in cash.

Mr Darren Solessi (31) who runs the Lock Keeper pub and a member of staff were taking the money from the pub to the bank when then were approached by two men outside the bar.

The manager was punched several times in the face before he was forced to let go of a red sports bag containing the cash. Police and pub bosses refused to reveal how much money was in the bag although it is believed approximately £7,800 was taken.

The robbery happened at 1pm on Monday (Feb 4) and the two raiders were last seen running towards the Asda store in Pilkington Way with the cash bag.

Mr Solessi said: "It all happened in a split second. We were going to the bank and had just left the pub when two young lads ran up and smacked me several times around the head.

"They grabbed the bag and ran off. A substantial amount of money was taken."

The manager added that he had been manager of the pub for only a month.

Detectives are now keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the robbery and have only described the offenders as two white males, one wearing a green coloured top and his accomplice wearing a blue shirt.

Whitefield CID are investigating the incident and can be contacted on 0161 856 8248 if anyone has any information about the robbery or the two offenders. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.