Brave mum Michelle Hobbs hosted her young son's birthday party at the family pub yesterday just days after knife-wielding robbers struck.

Miss Hobbs said Ben, who has turned two, had a scaled-down celebration after the raiders snatched a wallet containing all his birthday money.

Two masked robbers got away with the weekend takings at The Alexander, in Albion Road, Idle, and Ben's £280 cash, after tripping the lights in the cellar.

They confronted Miss Hobbs' partner, James Rawlinson, 28, behind the bar after closing time on Sunday.

As detectives today renewed their appeal for help to trace the robbers, Miss Hobbs revealed she was on medication as she couldn't sleep.

But she and James were determined to make Ben's birthday a success.

"Family and friends came and we are going to forget about the robbery for a day," said Miss Hobbs, 22.

She thanked the pub's customers for supporting the family and praised the helpfulness of the licensees and regulars at The Brewery Tap next door.

Detective Inspector Noel Devine, of Bradford North CID, asked anyone in The Alexander on the night of the robbery, or who was passing by, to contact police if they saw anything suspicious.

The knifeman is described as white, stocky, and just under 6ft. His accomplice was taller. He is also white and stocky with a local accent.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bradford North Police helpdesk on (01274) 376259 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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