STAFF at a popular pub and restaurant today described how raiders wearing balaclavas and wielding a knife, crowbar and cosh burst in during an armed robbery just weeks after it underwent a £1million refurbishment.

Members of the team at the Waterside, Kay Bridge, Summerseat, Ramsbottom, were in shock today after three robbers targeted them yesterday.

They made off with an undisclosed quantity of cash.

The men, in described as in their late teens to early 20s, were wearing dark clothing and balaclavas and were carrying a knife, crowbar and cosh.

They forced open a fire door and confronted staff but no-one was injured.

A member of staff, who did not want to be named, said today: "Everyone is okay although it was a bit of shock. The last people had just left and someone had locked up and about ten to 15 minutes later they burst in.

"A couple of staff took a day off to recover from the shock but we opened as normal and there was no damage inside."

The raid took place at 11.30pm last night and the intruders were described as white and speaking with a broad Manchester accent.

Waterside, which is owned by Radcliffe-based Provence Leisure, recently underwent a £1million refurbishment and re-opened to the public on July 19.