The robbers burst into the Old Hall Farm pub near Cheshire Oaks just before closing time at 10.55pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

The men, their faces covered, were armed with a baseball bat, a metal bar and a small axe. They threatened a number of people, including staff and customers.

Cheshire Constabulary spokesman Dave Murray said there were about 30 people in the pub in Kinsey Road, Ellesmere Port, but nobody was seriously injured.

Two of the men then took the manager into a separate room and threatened him with the weapons and demanded he remove the contents of the safe.

The manager received minor injuries.

The third man remained in the bar and continued to threaten people with a baseball bat.

Mr Murray said: "The men left a short while later after stealing a quantity of cash from the safe.

"They made off in an unknown direction."

The officer investigating the case, DC Mike Beamish, said: "This is a very serious offence that has had a huge impact on each of the people present.

"We are conducting a number of inquiries into the robbery.

"The males used very threatening behaviour towards innocent members of the public who have been left traumatised."

He added: "Our main concern is that these men have come in at a time when customers are still present.

Cheshire Police are urging anyone with any further information to contact them.

One of the men is described as white, stocky, a large build, aged 35-40 and between 5ft 8ins-9ins tall.

He is said to have dark hair, blue eyes and spoke with a Liverpudlian accent.

He is also described as wearing dark clothing and had his face concealed with a blue velvet face cover which only left his eyes visible.

Another man is said to be white, slim to average build, 6ft 1ins-2ins tall and in his mid-20s.

He had hazel eyes, bushy eyebrows and also spoke with a Liverpudlian accent.

He was also wearing dark clothing and white trainers and had his face covered identical to the first man, with only his eyes visible.

The third man is described as white, large build, between 5ft 9ins-6ft tall, in his 30s and also wearing dark clothing and a black balaclava.

The weapons were described as a black baseball bat with white writing on and a long thin metal bar about 18ins long and 2ins wide.

The axe was described as a small hatchet type axe about 12-14ins long.

Mr Murray said: "Cheshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, either before, during or after the event or anybody who has any information that could assist with the investigation to contact DC Beamish on 01244 613150.

You can also call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.