"I will cut your throat.'' Mrs. Barbara Johnson had been waiting for a taxi when the helmeted gang burst into Warwick Workman's Club.

One youth pushed the 37-year-old against the wall and thrust a knife against her throat.

He eventually wrenched away her handbag containing about $250.

Meanwhile, the two other robbers battered a bartender over the head with a metal rod.

The pair attacked Mr. Eric Easton after snatching $1,023 from the till shortly before 1 a.m. yesterday.

They dragged him outside the club, and systematically kicked about the head and body.

The gang fled into the night on motor cycles, leaving the bartender battered and bleeding.

Police have appealed for help over the robbery.

Last night Mr. Easton was recovering in a general ward at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

He is said to have received stitches above and below an eye, and to his scalp.

Mrs. Johnson, from Devonshire, also needed treatment for shock.

The gang wearing dark crash helmets approached the club off Cobbs Hill Road on motor bikes.

Mrs. Johnson was waiting outside for a taxi when she was grabbed around the neck.

Last night she broke down as she recalled her horrifying ordeal.

"I was standing by the door looking for the cab. I turned around when three guys barged in with black helmets and big coats.

"It was obvious they were coming to rob the place. I could see there must be trouble.

"I tried to walk out of the door when one of these guys said `sit the hell down' and grabbed me by the throat.

"He held me outside, while the others went to the bartender and started beating him in the yard.

"A knife was held to my throat, and this guy hauled me back inside and put me up against the wall.

"I could not see who these people were. I heard them call out `where's the money'.

"I said `I don't know, I am just waiting for a taxi'. One of them said `I will cut your throat'.'' Mrs. Johnson said she could hear bottles and glasses being smashed during her nightmare.

After the youths made off with her money she was scared to go outside.

"I did not know what had happened to the bartender. I then ran out and ran to the taxi.

"I said to the taxi driver `help, please, please, help','' and then she saw a man with a dog arrive on the scene.

"He said he had seen something was happening at the club, and came to check.

The bartender must have run down the street. He was bleeding all over.'' Mrs. Johnson said she had lived in California for many years but had never endured such hell.

"Nothing like this has ever happened before.'' Mr. Gary Fray, secretary and treasurer at the club, said security measures would be stepped up.

Club officials were due to meet last night to discuss the matter.

Mr. Fray said he would recommend that people entering the club had to remove their helmets.

He added: "We will be closing earlier while extra security is put in place.'' Mr. Fray said he understood Mr. Easton, who is in his late 40s and has worked at the club about five years, was clearing up the bar when the robbers struck.

"I believe they jumped over the bar and attacked him.''