THE owner of a Tavistock pub was attacked with an iron bar after disturbing a burglar on Monday night.

Owners of the Market Inn Sally and Godfrey Perkins, have been the victims of two burglaries in the space of eight days. The first resulted in the theft of £500.

The latest break-in in the early hours of Tuesday morning resulted in Mr Perkins, 72, being hit with an iron bar after finding the offender in the bar area. Mr Perkins suffered injuries to his arm and his body.

The couple live in a flat above the pub, and Mr Perkins, who is hard of hearing, went downstairs to get some cream for his eczema.

He said: 'I didn't hear anything, I went downstairs to get some cream. I tried opening the door and he was trying to open the door at the same time and he knocked me to the floor and started clouting me with a bar.

'It took me by surprise, I didn't have a chance to fight back. He hit me about four times, I was just trying to protect my head. I'm just annoyed that I couldn't get him.'

Mrs Perkins said the offender got the iron bar from the window that he got in through.

She said: 'Godfrey was all alone in the house at the time, he could have hit his head and no-one would've known.

'It scares me a bit thinking that people can just come into your home. I don't know why he was trying to get upstairs. He had tried to get into the till but didn't manage it. We've already got new windows and locks.'

The incident took place at around 3.50am on Tuesday. The offender was wearing a balaclava and dark clothing.

CID officer Jason Bryant said this kind of incident was rare for Tavistock: 'It was a really horrifying and disturbing incident and I praise Mr Perkins for his bravery.

'We are asking residents and pub landlords to be vigilant in securing their property and to look out for their neighbours.

'We are calling out for any information — this was a shocking and extremely emotive incident, so if anyone is harbouring any information, look into your conscience and contact the police.

'Considering the break-ins to pub premises across Devon and Cornwall recently, licensees should make sure their properties are locked up and safe and that no cash is left in tills overnight.'

If anyone has any information about the incident, or saw someone acting suspiciously or any vehicles in the area at the time, contact the police on Crimestoppers 0800 555111 or 101, quoting the crime reference number JT/12/1012.

All information will be treated in confidence.