A THREE-year-old boy was caught up in a robbery when a knife-wielding gang stormed into his parents' shop.

Mrs Vasanpi Solanki (24) has spoken of her fear as the masked, violent thugs burst into her newsagent and off-licence on Saturday evening (Oct 14) and held a knife to her throat.

The terrified mother runs the V & J Mini Market in Egerton Street, Prestwich, with her husband, Jitendra (25).

Recalling the robbery, Mrs Solanki said: "I was standing with my little one when three men wearing masks ran into the shop. One of them held a knife near to my throat and demanded that I open the till. I just froze."

Mrs Solanki's son, Prem, clung to his mother throughout the ordeal and burst into tears as the thugs screamed orders at his parents.

The family, who were also threatened with a screwdriver, were ushered into the kitchen at the rear of the shop while the masked men cleared the shelves of cigarettes, beer and spirits. Mrs Solanki went on: "We were getting ready to go to a wedding party and hadn't emptied the till so the men got away with between £500 and £600.

"They also shouted at my husband to hand over his wallet but he said he didn't have it on him."

She added: "My husband tried to phone for help but the men snatched the phone from him."

The thieves smashed the phone on the pavement outside.

The young family, who moved into the shop almost 12 months ago, have been left terrified by their ordeal and little Prem has since suffered nightmares.

Mrs Solanki added: "My little one couldn't sleep that night and is very frightened. He refused to go to nursery the next day and wants me with him all the time. He keeps waking up at night."

Mrs Solanki believes her family only escaped injury by doing as the raiders asked but said they were left wondering if it was worth them carrying on working in the shop. They had been on edge since the attack.

A police spokesman said: "This was a very vicious attack involving a woman and young child. We will be interested in any information leading to the identification of any of the offenders."

The three men were between 5ft 8ins and 6ft 5ins tall, of medium build and each wore a light coloured mask.

Anyone who saws the trio enter or leave the shop should contact Bury's operational police unit on 0161 856 8157.