REGULARS at a pub in Withington have chased off machete wielding thugs twice in a month.

On Tuesday, knifemen turned up at the Cotton Tree, on Cotton Lane and slashed the landlord, leaving him needing hospital treatment.

The victim was walking to his car when five or six masked men attacked him with weapons including a Samurai sword.

The gang were chased off by the landlord's family. The publican was treated at Wythenshawe hospital for a gash to his forehead and cuts and bruises to his body.

Previously, on February 27, a gang of five masked men, one of them brandishing a large blade, entered the pub and ordered drinkers to `get down on the floor'.

The gang fled empty-handed, however, after courageous regulars chased them out of the pub.

Police believe the two incidents may be linked. They are urging anyone with information to telephone West Didsbury CID on 0161 856 6090 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.