THE WIFE of a man who was hit around the head with a shotgun during an armed raid at the garden nursery they run has spoken of the terrifying ordeal.

Jayne Roberts, 49, praised her husband John, 51, who, she says, acted in an incredibly brave way to protect his family during the attack.

As a result of his injuries he was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital where he received stitches.

The incident happened at Kitts Green Nursery in Heathfield, Berkeley, at 6pm on Monday.

"John was chased by four men with stockings over their heads shouting 'Give us the money, give us the money,' before they got hold of him," she said.

"He steered the men away from the house where I was with my daughters' partners. He did his best to protect us.

"I phoned the police and fortunately managed to get the details across before the men realised we were there.

"Then they threatened to 'blow his legs off' if anyone called the police so I dropped the phone. It was really scary.

"John emptied the till and the men got away with the day's takings but we are still open as usual today and for the forseeable future. We can't let these people ruin our lives."

Police say by the time officers arrived the offenders had fled the scene in a black vehicle.

A 23-year-old man from Wotton-under-Edge was arrested on suspicion of possessing a prohibited weapon.

While investigating the robbery, police say evidence of a suspected ‘cannabis factory’ was later discovered at the property, but Mrs Roberts vehemently denied the claim.

"It beggars belief for anyone to think that we've got drugs here," she added.

Police say three people, a 51-year-old man, a 49-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, all from Heathfield, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the production of controlled drugs. A police spokesman said the 51-year-old arrested was the same person who suffered the head injury in the robbery.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time of the robbery, or who may have seen the black vehicle as it left the scene, to contact them as soon as possible.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 421 of April 27. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A police spokeswoman said all four people arrested have been bailed until July 8, pending further enquiries.