A brave landlord insisted an elderly people's Christmas party must go on - only hours after robbers raided his pub.

A pair of masked men armed with a hammer burst into the Old Plough, on Green Lane, in Ashton-on-Mersey village on Monday, at about 8.35am.

Pub manager Mike Parsons was assaulted and suffered a head injury before the robbers escape empty handed.

But Mike and his wife Christine decided their ordeal wouldn't stop the pensioners' annual Christmas party, despite the incident happening less than four hours before.

"There was no way I was going to try and tell 70 old aged pensioners that their do was not on," explained Mike.

"Our pub social committee raises money through different events all year round for this. They work really hard to put this on and it's their day.

"Customers and friends who come to the pub all contribute and today is our thank you to the older ones. Everyone who attends is well fed, drinks are free and entertainment is put on for them."

"There was no way anyone was going to put a stop to this, not today. We can think about the rest of it later but as far as we were concerned you plan all year for events like this and one little thing couldn't stop it."

He added: "I'm shaken and shocked by what happened and talking about it makes me feel upset because you start to think about the dangers. My face is just a bit sore and bruised, but we're all right.

"Keeping busy helps you put it out of your mind and that's what I'm trying to do. But I'm just upset and worried about my staff, the cleaners were in at that time and it was a shock to them."

The pub's Christmas party is supported by businesses in Ashton-on-Mersey village; who donate prizes and contribute to the cost of the afternoon's free food and drink.

Social committee member Peter Siemaszkiewicz said: "It's the eighth year we've run this event, so when we heard what had happened it was very difficult to take.

"But Mike and Christine, decided to carry on even though the brewery had said if they didn't feel up to it they should cancel."

And fellow committee member Alison Corser added: "We're really pleased that Mike and Chris managed to get over the trauma of what happened. It's a great event for local pensioners and the highlight of the year for many of them.

"We raise money all the year round and it goes not only towards this but a children's fun day in the summer and a panto trip in January."

The robbers escaped in a black Audi A3 Sport, stolen from Gatley, in Stockport, on November 30. Anyone with information should contact Trafford police on 0161 856 7543 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.