A GRANDMOTHER has told of her terror after being forced to hand over £4,000 at knife-point.

Landlady Lesley Parkinson, 49, was ambushed by two men as she opened up The Brewery Arms, Salt-ney at 8.40am on Monday.

One prodded her with a knife, pushing her to the floor as he entered the Chester Street pub.

She was then forced to hand over the contents of the safe in a cream-coloured bag before the robbers fled on foot through the rear door.

One of the robbers told Mrs Parkinson, mother to four and grandmother to five: 'I've got a knife, do as you're told and don't look at our faces.'

She said: 'I was absolutely petrified. They seemed to know where the office was which makes me think they have been in the pub before.'

Mrs Parkinson said she had opened the pub after the incident despite being advised to take the day off by her area manager.

She said: 'After three and a half years we've got a good pub going here and I didn't see why I should let them spoil that.

'But my stomach is still turning and I'm really devastated.

'I feel mentally raped and like I'm inadequate but what can you do when someone has a knife at your back?'

Her husband Ray, 52, said: 'She's been very brave,' adding: 'I would love to get hold of these people.'

The men are described as white, around 20, and wearing dark clothing.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen men of this description at around the time of the robbery to come forward.

Det Insp Ron Pearson of the Chester Specialist Investigation Unit, said: 'They threatened the woman and it was a very frightening experience for her.

'We're now looking at forensics.'

Anyone with information should contact Det Cons Ian Watson on 01244 613134 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111. rob.devey@cheshirenews.co.uk