REGULARS at a Southampton pub are rallying around a landlady and her family after they were subjected to a terrifying attack by a chain-wielding motorcyclist.

Betty Johnson, 57, was back serving behind the bar yesterday just hours after her car was pursued by the maniac during the 20-minute nightmare journey,

As reported in later editions of the Daily Echo yesterday, her daughter Sarah, 36, and grandchild Kylie, 14, were also in the Toyota people carrier as well as a member of staff.

They were driving along Palm Road, Lordshill, at about 12.30am yesterday when they first spotted the motorcyclist and stopped to see what he wanted.

Mrs Johnson pulled away when he began punching the windscreen but moments later he reappeared.

Their terrifying journey took them across the Lordshill and Millbrook areas of the city as they struggled to shake him off.

He repeatedly pulled up alongside the vehicle, raining blows on it with a padlock and chain.

Mrs Johnson, landlady at The Ice House, Warren Avenue, Shirley Warren, said: "It was terrifying, my daughter and granddaughter were so scared.

"It didn't really hit me till about an hour later. I was so angry.

"I just think we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think he would have done this to anybody."

Punters at the pub, which she has run for about ten years with husband Tony, spoke of their anger and shock yesterday.

Eric Fitzgerald, 78, of Warren Close, said: "I'm shell-shocked.

"I just don't know why it would have happened.

"She's a great landlady and always looks after the staff and customers."

Ronald Taylor, 52, of Outer Circle, Lordshill, said: "You don't expect this sort of thing to happen, it must've been so frightening for all of them. You don't know if he'll do it again to someone else."

The ordeal came to an end when Mrs Johnson spotted a police car and pulled up behind it. Her daughter had been on the phone to them during the chase.

The motorcyclist smashed the windscreen with the padlock and chain, before speeding off. The trials bike did not have its lights on and the rider was described as slim and in his 20s. He wore a white helmet with flame motifs on it.

Anyone with information should call PC Wright at Shirley police station on 0845 045 4545, or the free, anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.