The Pig and Whistle is a popular Sunday lunch spot for families

Police hunting a gang of men who tied up staff, brandished weapons and tied up staff at a Preston pub have told how they tore out the pub’s CCTV system.

Lancashire Police say they believe the men could have been in the pub beforehand as the CCTV system’s hard drive and camera were taken during the raid.

The incident happened in the early hours of Monday 23 December at the Pig and Whistle carvery on Blackpool Road, Lea.

Staff at the pub had their hands tied behind their backs while the men, who had machetes and a sawn-off shotgun, took £1,500 cash.

Detective Sergeant John Crichton of Preston CID said: “We are working on the possibility the offenders could have been in the pub beforehand and spotted the CCTV system.

“The pub is in fairly quiet area, surrounded by a church and residential properties so we believe they had parked a car up somewhere to make their getaway.

“We are asking anyone who spotted a waiting car to come forward.”

The four men were wearing dark clothing, gloves and balaclavas and could have had Liverpudlian accents.

Anyone within information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.