A battling great-grandfather yesterday took on a machete-wielding robber at a Southampton bar and restaurant.

Plucky Milford Bean, 79, fought off the raider who was after a cash box he was carrying containing several hundred dollars.

But he had to back off when the thief pulled a machete and swung it at the King Henry VIII employee's hand, cutting two fingers.

And last night Mr. Bean said: "You have to stand up for yourself -- and I'd like to meet him face-to-face in free and fair combat.'' He added: "I tried to fight him off -- we struggled and the box dropped. He backed off, produced a machete and took a couple of swings at me. Then he grabbed the box and took off.

"I couldn't keep attacking him any more and backing off was better than getting my head chopped off.'' And he admitted: "When he swung the machete I was worried. I could have badly injured or even killed.

"I got a few cuts, but nothing really dangerous. Other than that, I'm fine.'' Mr. Bean, of Somerset, was speaking after being treated at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for cuts to his left hand, some of which required stitches.

But Mr. Bean, who has worked at the popular nightspot for more than a quarter-of-a-century, vowed he would be back at work today. Henry VIII chief Andy Allan said: "He is fearless -- Mr. Bean and I have worked together in business for the last 30 years or so.'' He added: "Much as I admire his great courage in tackling the assailant, we would hate to see anything happen to him.'' The raider, thought to be in his 20s or 30s, struck at Henry's Pantry, part of the Henry VIII operation, around 10 a.m. as Mr. Bean was taking the cash box inside.

Mr. Bean said: "The way it happened, it was so sudden. As I went to unlock the door, he appeared from the side of the building. I pushed him off and as I did that, the money box dropped. Mr. Bean's attacker was yesterday described as a black man, about five feet six to five feet eight inches tall and of stocky build. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, a white long-sleeved, hooded shirt pulled up to his chin and dark grey or blue flannel trousers.

Police have now talked to a man who they believed witnessed the robbery and called 911 from his cellular phone and investigations are continuing.

And they appealed for any other witnesses to the crime to contact Police or call Crime Stoppers on 1-800-623-8477.