STAFF suffered a terrifying ordeal when they were held up at gunpoint by hooded robbers who have been targeting family restaurants.

Nine staff members were on duty when three men carrying two handguns and a knife burst into Brewsters in West Cepen Park, Chippenham, through the back door at around 10.30pm on Thursday.

The robbers were after money kept in the safe in the manager's office.

As they moved round to the main body of the pub they were seen by the assistant manager.

He swiftly set off the panic alarm sending the robbers fleeing.

"He prevented anything from being taken and by good fortune no one was hurt," said PC Dave Waugh, who is investigating the case.

PC Waugh said the staff were very shaken by the ordeal and were receiving counselling through the firm.

On Monday, the pub manageress, who did not want to be named, said: "It really messed them up and they are very distressed and upset."

Five of the staff, who were in the back of the pub when the raiders burst in, were bundled into the staff toilet and one robber with a gun kept guard.

Two members of staff were marched out by the other two robbers who demanded to know where the manager's office was.

The remaining staff members were at the front of the pub finishing up for the end of the evening.

There were a few customers in the restaurant at the time but police believe they did not see anything.

The men were wearing black balaclavas, gloves and jackets and no getaway vehicle was seen.

PC Waugh said: "We would like to hear from anyone who saw a car driving at speed onto or away from the roundabout next to Brewsters."

The pub, which normally opens at 11am, was closed until 2pm on Friday while police combed the scene for clues.

Some staff were so shocked they were unable to return to work immediately but by this week they were all back on duty.

Police believe the gang has been targeting Whitbread venues across the country, including Brewsters Restaurants and Travel Inn.

"We believe this incident is part of a series of robberies targeting Brewsters. We are working with other police forces and Whitbread security," said PC Waugh.

Similar armed robberies have taken place in Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Greater Manchester and the gang has stolen thousands of pounds.

"The robberies are all similar in nature and the descriptions of the offenders are also similar," said PC Waugh.

Police believe Chippenham was an easy target because of its quick getaway access onto the M4.

Lesley Hughes, head of communications for Whitbread, said: "We have 1,500 companies across the country so from time to time these things happen and unfortunately they will probably happen again. We are looking into any possible connections and liaising with the police."

PC Waugh said the robbers in Chippenham entered through the open back door. "The door should have been kept shut but it wasn't. The company is now looking at its security procedures," he added.

PC Waugh said even he was shocked to hear about the robbery.

"You just don't expect this to happen in Chippenham," he said.

"There are many incidents where people pretend to have guns but I don't think there has been an armed robbery like this for at least 20 years."

Police admit they have little to go on in investigating the raid. The CCTV footage simply confirms the staff's version of events and no fingerprints or forensic evidence has been found.

"We don't have a good description because they were covered up and only had eye holes in the balaclavas. All we can do at the moment is share information with other police forces," said PC Waugh.