A BRAVE woman shopworker was punched and kicked by a thug as she tried to stop a robbery at a Bolton off licence last night.

Mrs Kate Pearce, aged 57, stepped in as a thug grabbed the £390 till containing £85 in the Village Store on Radcliffe Road, Darcy Lever.

As he struggled with Mrs Pearce, a second man dashed in and punched and kicked her.

The pair escaped with the till in a light coloured saloon car which sped off down Maze Street.

The first man was white, in his 20s, 5ft 9ins, with dark hair, wearing a black bob hat, short dark jacket and dark pants.

The man who followed him into the shop was also white, aged 35-40, 5ft 9ins, medium build, black hair, wearing a black anorak and black pants.

Janet Savage, who co-owns the small convenience store, told today how Mrs Pearce called for help on the phone seconds after being attacked.

The woman, who was left badly shaken, was working alone in the store at the time.

Mrs Savage said the man ripped the metal till from the counter and the pair made off with all the shop's takings.

She said: "I can't believe they took the whole till. They had to drag it out. When Kate phoned, she was probably in shock, but she is a quite a tough lady, really.

Grabbed

"She thought the first man was on his own when she grabbed him, but the other one came in. That's when he kicked her and punched her. She was left with a bruise where he kicked her on her ankle."

This morning Mrs Pearce, who also runs a stress counselling service, was not available for comment.

Anyone with information about the robbery at 8.55pm last night should call Astley Bridge CID on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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