BOLTON'S shopkeepers are among those who feel most at risk of violent crime in the country, a new report reveals.

More than two thirds of retailers in the North-west say they are worried about attacks on their business, according to findings in a survey by Independent Retail News.

Figures show the region is one of the hardest hit in the UK, suffering the third highest number of violent incidents involving a weapon.

And today Bolton police chiefs warned shopkeepers not to put up a struggle with armed criminals in a bid to protect their premises.

A spokesman for Bolton Central crime management unit said: "Retailers need to ensure their CCTV systems are in good operating order all the time.

"We appreciate it is people's instinct to defend their property, but they should not put up a defence against armed criminals."

The message comes just days after a woman shop worker was ambushed by two attackers, who jumped through a false ceiling and threatened her with combat knives before escpaing with cash.

Police are still hunting the pair who struck as their 34-year-old victim opened up the Cheque Generator store in the Kwik Save mall, at Long Causeway, Farnworth, on August 17.

The new report, based on more than 390 interviews with shopkeepers across the country, concludes that a quarter of retailers or their staff have been subjected to crime at work.

In more than half of the cases a knife or firearm was used, with other weapons including baseball bats, broken bottles and CS gas.

In 1998 staff at Hurley Menswear shop, close to the Warner Cinema at the Middlebrook Retail Park were sprayed with gas canisters as thieves escaped with £5,000 worth of clothing.

And those shopkeepers interviewed claim that the threat of violence is placing increasing stress on their workforce, with four out of 10 attacks leaving victims needing hospital treatment.