A PUB landlord is recovering from shock after being tied up and robbed at knifepoint by masked raiders.

Two intruders forced their way into Gullivers in Wimborne Road, Kinson, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

They threatened the 45-year-old manager with knives before tying him to a chair and demanding cash.

The father-of-two, who is still too traumatised to speak about his ordeal, managed to free himself and raise the alarm.

But his partner of 10 years, who helps him run the pub, told of the terror after the raiders burst into the bar at about 4.30 am.

Clare, 31, said: "I was asleep in the upstairs flat at the time with our two young sons. My partner doesn't sleep very well and had got up to watch a film on the bar's big screen.

"The two men, who were both wearing black balaclavas, entered through a back window. Both had knives and my partner's worst fear was that the children and I were in danger.

"For our safety, he told the men where the money was and they made off with takings from the tills and safe. They also forced a cigarette machine.

"We've run the pub for seven years and thankfully nothing like this has ever happened before."

The mother-of-two added: "I wasn't aware anything was going on until my partner came upstairs. He had managed to free himself and he rang the police; he was in a state of shock but fortunately had suffered no physical injuries. That's what I'm grateful for.

"As well as being our workplace, the pub is our home and the whole thing has been very traumatic. "It's early days and only time will tell what the consequences will be for my partner. He hasn't worked since and I'm running the bar.

"I would like to thank our regulars for their support and also members of the local community who have rallied round - that has really helped."

DC Steve Toms of Bournemouth CID said: "The pub is very close to School Lane and officers have been making enquiries in the area. "We'd like to hear from anyone who was near Gullivers during the early hours of Saturday morning and either saw or heard suspicious activity."

Police are hunting two white men in their 20s who were wearing dark clothing and spoke with Liverpool accents.

DC Toms added: "I can't rule out the possibility that the thieves used a vehicle and maybe left it parked nearby."

  • Anyone with information should call Dorset police in confidence on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.