A GANG of masked robbers armed with a shotgun tied up a 66-year-old woman and her son before ransacking their home.

The four raiders forced their way into a house in Tennyson Road, Farnworth, last night at around 10pm.

The woman was bound and gagged. Her 32-year-old son was smashed over the head with the gun before being tied up.

The woman's second son, aged 36, returned home in the middle of the robbery and was punched in the face as the gang fled the scene.

They escaped with cash and jewellery.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

For more details see Friday's edition of The Bolton News.