DETECTIVES leading the hunt for armed robbers who tied up the father of celebrity chef Andrew Nutter and one of his chefs in an early morning raid today re-appealed for witnesses.

Detectives said four men wearing balaclavas burst through the roof of Nutters restaurant, Edenfield run by Rodney Nutter, father of the TV chef at 3.10am on Saturday, May 13.

They punched a 24-year-old chef in the face and threatened him with a knife and gun before forcing him towards another room inside the Edenfield Road venue.

They then grabbed Rodney Nutter, 65. Both men were tied up while the robbers searched the premises.

They stole cash, mobile phones and car keys then tried to leave in a stolen Jaguar XK8, but abandoned it at the scene.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick, from Rochdale CID, said: "We are keen to trace the individuals responsible for this and I would appeal to anyone with information who hasn't yet been in contact to get in touch immediately."

The robbers were white, aged in their late 20s to 30s and wore balaclavas.

Three spoke with Liverpool accents and the fourth had a northern accent.

Contact Rochdale CID on 0161 856 8552 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.