Anthony, 21, who the police have asked us not to identify, had a gun pointed at his head as he faced the raiders near Cellar 5, in Castle.

But in the commotion the thieves dropped the £2,400 they had just stolen - leaving empty-handed.

"A man pointed a gun at me and told me to get out of the car," said Anthony, who had been walking along Chester Road with his friend 18-year-old Ian, who lives in Castle.

"I jumped out and the car sped off - I was very scared when they pointed the gun. I hadn't realised they were armed."

The gang struck at Cellar 5 off-licence, in Castle, on Saturday night. Three men burst into the shop at 10.10pm and held the young assistant at gun point. They demanded keys to the safe and grabbed the takings.

As they left, a second sales assistant came out of the stock room and was also threatened.

Friends Anthony and Ian had been to Cellar 5 to buy some beers.

"We walked out and there was a dark blue Vauxhall Astra outside," said Ian.

"We thought it was strange because the car doors were open.

"But as we walked out the three lads inside shut them and looked the other way.

"We carried on and turned round to see the doors of the car open again and the three men legged it into the Cellar.

"So we went back. Someone shouted 'they're holding the place up'.

"The driver came out first then another lad got in the car. The last one shot out and couldn't get in as I was in his way.

"So he ran up Chester Road towards Greenbank. The car followed, stopping to let the third guy in."

Anthony followed the car and dived inside after the man.

The stolen cash fell out of the car and Anthony quickly jumped out after being threatened at gun point.

A spokesman from Cellar 5 said: "We will be getting in touch with the people who tackled the robbers and thanking them individually with a gift.

"The staff are quite shocked and are being given support."

IF you can help police ring DC Kevin Williams or DC David Stott on 01244 612589 or Northwich CID on 01244 613233.

The Vauxhall Astra was found abandoned on High Bank Road, Castle.

Two of the men are said to be aged about 25. The first is described as white, 5ft 7ins to 8ins tall, with a short dark crew cut, clean shaven and a heavy build. He was wearing a dark blue, round-necked sweatshirt, faded blue jeans and brown string-back driving gloves.

The second was white, 5ft 8ins tall, with short black styled hair, clean shaven, wearing a blue jacket and jeans and white trainers, possibly with blue soles.

The third is said to have been wearing a baseball cap and light cloth or piece of material over the bottom of his face. He gave the appearance of being sun tanned.

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