A BRAVE factory boss told how he fought with masked robbers who threatened to blow off his knee-caps.

The managing director said the gun threat came after he had been tied up.

And William Ormerod, 56, said he wouldn't let the thugs deter him from working for the Lancashire Sock Company, his family business based in New Line, Bacup, which he joined when he was just 16.

Mr Ormerod, who was back at work yesterday, was closing up on Sunday afternoon when the balaclava-clad raiders burst into his office.

The widowed father-of-two, tried to fight off the pair, but he was overpowered.

They asked him for a key to the safe, but he refused to give it to them.

His hands were then tied behind his back and his legs together with plastic ties.

Mr Ormerod said the raiders warned they would shoot him in the knees if he did not give them the keys to the safe.

He said: "When they had me on the floor they took the safe keys out of my pocket and they found £100 cash.

"They untied my hands and legs and went out. Before they left they said that if I followed them I would be shot.

"The whole thing was a pretty terrifying experience, although I won't let it put me off coming to work.

"I've been at the company ever since I was a teenager and I have never known anything like this."

Mr Ormerod said it was instinct when he fought the robbers.

He said: "They started to attack me so I fought back and they got me to the floor.

"I didn't think about it at the time they broke in. I just wanted to defend myself. I think one of them had a baton-type weapon with them.

"They told me they wouldn't hurt me if I co-operated with them, but I did get injured in the fight because I later found I had bruises on my back and shoulder.

"They were saying they would shoot me in the knees if I didn't give them the keys to the safe.

"I heard the names Seamus and Jack and they were both speaking with Irish accents."

Police have launched an investigation into the robbery and said the robbers entered through the workers' entrance, which is opposite a residential street at 2.40pm.

They said both robbers wore black balaclavas, gloves and jackets.

One was 5ft 11in tall and the other was 5ft 8in.

Police said they believed that an abandoned vehicle found nearby had been involved.

Inspector Rob Campbell said: "If anybody has seen anyone acting suspiciously in the Bacup, New Line, area around about the time of the incident they should contact the police.

"Two offenders entered the premises when they were closing and the manager was on the premises.

"He was overpowered and a quantity of cash was stolen."

Anyone with information is asked to call Rossendale CID on 01772 237 443.