THE terrifying moment a masked gang attacked customers at a Bolton pub with meat cleavers, crowbars and hammers has been relived by one of the victims.

Alex Hinchliffe was left with a deep gash across his forehead after the six-strong group charged into the Grapes pub in Market Street, Stoneclough, on Saturday night.

Detectives are still hunting the gang who set off CS gas and slashed out indiscriminately at customers drinking in the pub, leaving one with serious injuries.

Mr Hinchliffe said: "They were armed with serious weapons and weren't afraid to use them. It is lucky no one was killed. It was chaos. People were screaming all around me.

"I tried to get out of the pub but as I ran, I must have been hit over the head. The next thing I remember, I was outside and a woman, who I have never met before, was using her jumper to try and stop the blood pouring from my head."

Bank worker Mr Hinchliffe, had arranged to meet friends at the pub on Saturday night.

As he stood at the bar, the gang burst through the door shortly after 10pm.

Mr Hinchliffe said: "They came charging in and started over-turning tables. They were wearing balaclavas and masks.

"I thought it was someone playing a joke at first but as the screaming got louder, I realised something was going on and tried to run.

"I don't remember actually being hit. I was dazed and confused. There was blood everywhere.

"One of my friends was slashed on the shoulder and another needed stitches in his back "I keep replaying it in my mind. I can't believe it."

Detectives are currently interviewing about 30 people who were in the bar at the time.

Ten people were injured and five needed hospital treatment.

One man suffered a gash to his right shoulder which damaged an artery and he underwent surgery on Monday.

Following the incident, the gang ran out of the Grapes and got into two cars, a Volkswagen Golf and a red vehicle. It is believed the Golf was parked at the top of Bridge Street and turned left into Stoneclough towards Whitefield.

It is believed two of the offenders went into the Hare and Hounds in Market Street shortly before the gang went into the Grapes.

One man stood at the door while another man, who was carrying a meat cleaver, quickly looked around the pub. The incident may be connected to an incident at the Hare and Hounds on Friday, police said.

Det Con Ged Hurley, of Bolton CID said: "We believe the incident at the Grapes was a revenge attack. It was quite a serious incident and fortunately, no one was killed or seriously injured.

"One man is still undergoing hospital treatment on a shoulder injury."

Anyone with information should contact Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740.