As they scarpered on foot, they left behind half their stolen haul in Canute Place.

The rest of the eight-man gang sped off in another stolen car with £2,000 of designer shoes.

It was the second raid in a month on Schuh Mode in King Street.

But this week the owner Sally Parkinson vowed to carry on.

"There are two alternatives we can take," she said.

"The first is to give in to these youngsters or the second is to carry on. We don't see why we should have to give in."

In the copycat raid at 11.25pm last Wednesday, residents leaving busy pubs and restaurants saw the youths - some just 14 - smash their way into the town centre shop.

Some of the gang stood guard, threatening passers-by while others made off in minutes with £3,600 worth of designer shoes.

The thieves then sped off in two

stolen cars which they had used to block traffic in King Street.

The second car was found abandoned in Salford on Thursday.

"I was shocked second time round," said Mrs Parkinson. "I didn't think this would happen to us in Knutsford, but the first time I just thought it would be a one-off."

Four weeks earlier a gang of young thugs threatened people spilling out of pubs and eating places, before speeding off from the shop with a £2,500 haul.

Detectives, who believe the two incidents are linked, say several witnesses have come forward about the second burglary, but want to hear from more.

"We would warn residents not to tackle these men during raids like these," said Sgt Andy Mitchell.

Sally Parkinson, who set up the Knutsford shoe shop three years ago, said shutters were now probably the only option to protect her business.

Witnesses can call the police on 01244 613639.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.