ARMED robbers held a bar manager at gunpoint and forced him to open the safe in a terrifying early morning raid.

Two hooded men, wearing balaclavas, burst into the Vue Bar and Grill in Lugsdale Road, Widnes, at 2.10am on Monday.

They pressed the gun to his back, demanding he open the safe.

The weapon was then pushed against his chest as he handed over a substantial amount of cash.

They tied him to a chair and escaped, but he managed to wriggle free and call the police. He was unhurt and alone in a rear storage area when the raiders broke in.

Both robbers were white, in their late 20s, of medium build and spoke with a Liverpool accent.

One was 5ft 8ins, the other 6ft 2ins.

General manager Diane Copoc, said: "As a company, we are extremely pleased with the way in which the manager dealt with the situation. We are currently helping police with their enquiries.

"We are now open for business as usual."

Anyone with information is asked to call Det Sgt Adam Waller or Det Con Greg Thomson on 01244-614904 or call crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.