After the robbery, the three occupants who had been locked in an upstairs bedroom called to a passing cyclist to help them and he called 999.

Police said the robbers took a 'substantial' amount of cash during the raid on the White Lion Inn in Coventry Road, Pailton just after 10am.

The three men threatened staff to open the safe and stole car keys.

It is believed the vehicle the offenders used, a black Audi estate, was abandoned at around 11am in a car park near to the Foleshill Social Club on Foleshill Road, Longford, Coventry and officers are appealing for any witnesses who saw the vehicle as it was being parked.

This vehicle has now been recovered.

Police carried out house to house enquiries and an area search and are also checking CCTV footage. One person suffered a small graze to their hand during the robbery. No one else was injured.

Any witnesses to three men acting suspiciously around the White Lion Inn in Pailton or who may have seen the car being abandoned in Longford are please asked to contact OIC DC 1518 Collette O'Keefe as soon as possible on 01788 853742 voicemail 11518 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.