BRAVE staff and customers in a Timperley pub fought off three would-be robbers.

The three masked men, who had attempted to steal the Sylvan Inn pub’s till, fled empty-handed after they were challenged by customers and staff.

The men had gone into the Woodhouse Lane East pub at around 10.50pm on Sunday September 25 and one of them jumped over the bar in an attempt to steal the till.

Customers challenged the man, and as he jumped back over the bar they tried to restrain him, but he escaped with the other two out of the front door, before turning right heading down Woodhouse Lane East towards Milton Drive.

During the fracas, one would-be robber stumbled and his lost his trainer, which was left on the pub floor as he fled.

The man who jumped over the bar is white and described as being of thin build, around 6ft in height.

He was wearing all black clothing, a hoodie and a black face covering.

The two other men were wearing hoodies and face coverings.

Detective Constable Andrew Taylor said: “These would-be thieves didn’t anticipate when they walked into the pub that they would be fought off by the customers who were still inside, meaning they fled empty-handed and one of the robbers also lost his shoe.

“I must commend the bravery of these people, who confronted the three men with no thought for their own safety in an attempt to detain them.

“We are determined to identify those responsible for this attempted robbery and stop them from targeting other businesses in the area.

“If you saw these men running away from the pub at just after 10.50pm on Sunday night, or if you have any other information that may help our investigation, please get in touch. All calls will be treated in confidence.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police at Trafford CID on 0161 856 7671 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.