Raiders who burst into a city pub tied up the manager and warned him his fingers would be cut off if he did not comply.

The gang of men forced their way into the Old City Bar in Oaten Hill Place and tied up Will Jenner before escaping with thousands of pounds and bank cards.

They left the 34-year-old bound and gagged and he was only discovered by cleaners who arrived the next morning for work.

The raid took place between 2.30am and 6.22am on Sunday, August 14.

Police are refusing to reveal how much money was taken in the raid, but it is understood to run into thousands as the pub had just had a busy day and night.

Mr Jenner, who is off work following his ordeal, had closed the pub and was sitting on his own watching TV when the gang forced open a window at the back of the building.

Owner Charles Smythe, 42, says the men went straight to where Mr Jenner was.

“They shone a torch in his face and told him to give them the keys or they would cut his fingers off,” Mr Smythe told the Kentish Gazette.

“Then he was tied up and gagged until the cleaners arrived. He must have been there four or five hours.”

And Mr Smythe, who also owns the Black Griffin in St Peter’s Street and the Seven Stars in Orange Street, has his own theories about who might be responsible.

He went on: “This was done professionally by someone who had cased the joint.

“People have been saying to me that this was done by someone who has come down from London, but I suspect someone from Canterbury, I suspect it’s someone who knows this place.

“This is just one of those things.

“We’re insured, but the main thing is that Will is OK.”

Police investigating the raid believe it was carried out by three men.

They were all wearing dark clothing and balaclavas and said to be white with southern accents and all about 5ft 10in tall.

Det Sgt Kath Way is leading the hunt for the gang. She said: “Although unhurt, the member of staff was shaken by the incident and we are keen to catch the offenders.”

She urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Kent Police on 01622 690690 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime number EY/13344/11.