A PUB boss was saved by his dog when he was confronted by a gunman.

The raider burst into the Albion pub, Bag Lane, Atherton, as the licensee was clearing up at the end of the night and threatened him with a single barrel shotgun.

The thug pointed the gun at the landlord, but, when he heard the dog bark inside the pub he fled.

Detectives hunting the armed man said the landlord was alone in the pub -- with his dog -- when he heard a tapping noise at the back door shortly after midnight yesterday.

The landlord went to investigate and found himself confronted by a masked man wielding a shotgun.

The gunman is believed to be white, 5ft 10ins tall and aged 20-30 years old. He was wearing jeans and a white coloured nylon top, with a hood pulled up over his face.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has any information is asked to contact Leigh CID tel: 0161 856 7253. All calls will be treated in confidence.