A PUB boss has spoken of her shock after a brutal hammer attack outside the premises left two men needing hospital treatment.

The violence began in the doorway of the Red Pig before spilling into Church Street, in Keighley town centre.

Around five masked thugs were involved in the attack.

Two men, aged 51 and 19, were taken to hospital. Their injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident, which happened between 7pm and 7.30pm on Friday, October 27, to come forward.

They are treating it as a targeted attack.

The Red Pig manageress, who asked not to be named, was in an upstairs room when the melee broke out.

She dialled 999, for the police and ambulance service.

"I saw on our security cameras a group of people in the doorway," she said.

"The next moment, arms were being flailed around and a man was being dragged outside.

"They all then surged onto the street."

It is suspected the assailants had approached the pub after spotting their intended 'victims' inside.

"The whole incident was over within about 20 seconds," the manageress added.

"By the time I got downstairs, they had dispersed.

"I went outside to check that the two injured people were OK and others were making sure they were alright.

"The pub was quite busy at the time but fortunately no-one else was hurt – in fact some people in the pool room weren't even aware anything had happened!

"Customers and our staff – we employ around 11 people – were fine."

She said she had worked at the pub for 28 years, and incidents were very rare.

But she felt anti-social behaviour generally in the Church Green area of the town had increased.

"All pubs experience the odd 'skirmish' from time to time but things like this are extremely unusual," she said.

"There have been problems in the churchyard and around Church Green with anti-social activities.

"I've seen police patrolling but we could do with more officers."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed that investigations into the incident were ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting crime reference 13170500552.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.