A defiant businessman, who needed plastic surgery after he was slashed by masked armed robbers, last night told of his anger at having his “hard-earned” money stolen from him.

Haroon Pandor, 45, swore and fought with the masked raiders in a brave bid to hang on to his takings.

But he dropped the bag of money when he glimpsed a flash of silver and realised his wrist had been slashed by a knife.

Mr Pandor later needed surgery at hospital after two tendons and a nerve were severed by the blade but he said he now realises his injuries could have been much worse.

Speaking from his home last night he said: “It could have been deadly. It brings me out in a cold sweat when I think about what could have happened.”

Mr Pandor, who runs a fruit and veg import business at St James Wholesale Market in Essex Street, Bradford, was delivering about £8,500 in cash takings to his bank, the HSBC in Tong Street, Bradford, when he was attacked.

He said: “I got out of the car with the bag of cash, it was only a few yards to the bank entrance, when I was suddenly grabbed from behind in a neck lock and a voice said: ‘Give me the money.’ “I swore and told him he wasn’t getting my money. We had a scuffle and I was spun round. The next thing I knew, another guy was trying to pull the bag from my hand. He was shouting ‘let go, let go.’ I told him I wasn’t going to let go.

“Then I felt a blow on my wrist. I didn’t know what it was, I thought it was a truncheon. I started bleeding but I didn’t let go of the bag.

“Then I saw a silver flash as the wepon came down again towards my wrist. I thought it was going to take my hand off so I dropped the bag. One of them grabbed it and they legged it to a silver car which had pulled up containing two other masked men.

“It drove off, but I picked up a piece of paper and wrote down the registration number.”

Mr Pandor had plastic surgery and is hopeful he will not be permanently injured, though he may be left with scarring.

He said the robbery was over in seconds but it “seemed like ages”.

He added: “I’m only 5ft 2ins but I’m not the sort of character to let people get away with something like that.

“I didn’t have time to be frightened, but I was angry. I was determined not to let them get away with my hard-earned money.

“But I was in a lot of pain and when I realised they had a knife I just let the bag go.

“We will review our security, we usually have a security company taking the money to the bank, but it won’t put me off the business.

“There is no chance of them stopping me, but things are pretty desperate when things like this happen. It’s getting pretty hard to earn your money, and protecting it.”

Both robbers were stocky, about 5ft 8ins tall, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

Detective Inspector Alan Flynn, of Bradford South CID, said: “We know these men got into a silver Volvo which had been stolen in a burglary last year from Elizabeth Street in Bradford. In this vehicle, we believe there were also a further two masked men.

“The Volvo turned left on to Tong Street and towards the city centre. It was found abandoned on Bowling Hall Road the following day.

“The victim was left with some particularly serious injuries to his wrist which required plastic surgery for tendon and nerve damage.

“He had travelled from his work place at St James Market and it is highly likely that these men had followed him from there or knew of his plans.

“This was a terrifying experience for a hard working man, simply trying to make a living. We quickly need to identify these suspects, which requires the assistance and the support of the public.”

The robbery happened at about 11.35am on Tuesday, February 14. Police have urged witnesses or anyone with any information about those responsible to contact the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.