Police are hunting three masked men who threatened a hotel manager with a baseball bat and hammer during a robbery in the middle of the night.

The incident at the Abbey Lodge Hotel (pictured) in Kirkgate, Shipley, also saw one of the trio attack a resident, hitting him several times with the baseball bat, police said.

The men, all described as Asian and wearing black balaclavas, entered the hotel’s reception area at around 1.45am yesterday and demanded the manager give them access to the safe. After being told there was no safe on the premises, they took money from a cash tin.

One of the suspects then entered the hotel bar and when confronted by the resident struck him several times on the leg. All three men then fled.

The hotel resident did not suffer serious injuries but was taken to hospital as a precaution, police said.

Detective Inspector Peter Craig, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said he believed the trio may have been watching the hotel before the robbery from St Paul’s churchyard opposite.

He said: “We are appealing for anyone who saw a group of three men who may have been in the churchyard, or if anybody saw them running off from this area, or getting into a vehicle to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID. This is a serious incident and we would like to try and identify the people involved.”

One of the men was said to be 6ft tall, of stocky build and wearing dark clothing. Another was described as 5ft 9ins and was also said to be stocky and wearing dark clothing.

No-one at the hotel was available to comment last night.

Councillor Kevin Warnes (Green, Shipley) said: “As far as I am aware this is the first time there has been a problem of this sort in the area. It’s quite shocking. The main thing is no-one was badly hurt. If anyone knows anything I would urge them to contact the police.”

Anyone with information should call Airedale and North Bradford CID via 0845 6060606.