A BRAVE jeweller escaped with her life after grappling with a crowbar-wielding thug who struck as she worked alone.

Shocked shop owner Hazel Swindlehurst was attacked on the same day a jeweller in Cowbridge, North Wales, was stabbed to death after confronting a would-be raider.

She was working in Sovereign Jewellers on Church Street, Preston, on Tuesday morning (May 21) when the man leapt over the counter yelling abuse, and struck her in the face with the crowbar.

Mrs Swindlehurst, who suffered a split lip and sore back in the attack, said: "I could have died. But I'm still here to tell the tale. I had a lucky escape."

The 35-year-old described the attack: "I thought he was going to knock me out," she said: "I grabbed hold of him, he grabbed hold of me and we fell back over the counter.

"Luckily I could get up and run out - I wanted people to hear me screaming." The attacker fled empty handed onto the busy town centre street and was last seen running up Pole Street.

Detective Sergeant Mick Ellwood appealed for help in catching the man.

He said: "It happened just before 10.30am. This man is dangerous."

The thin attacker was described as white, 18-20, 5ft 7ins with short fair hair. Anyone with information should call (01772) 203203.

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