A COUPLE were forced out of their bed by a gang armed with knives and ordered to hand over the keys to their £15,000 high-powered car during a horrific robbery at their home.

The victims, who are both in their 30s, are so traumatised by what happened that they have been unable to return to the house in Bank House Close, Tyldesley.

The gang entered the house through a downstairs window and armed themselves with kitchen knives and scewdrivers before going upstairs. The robbers confronted the couple who had been asleep in bed and demanded their car keys. The gang then locked them in a downstairs room before escaping in their black Skoda Octavia RS, registration HV02 PXE.

They also stole a mobile phone and a wallet containing cash and cards.

DC Peter Morris from Leigh CID said: "This was a particularly frightening experience for the victims. They have been so distressed by the robbery that they have had to move from their own home."

Anyone with information is asked to call Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253.

"The woman was recovering from a spell in hospital at the time and this whole experience has left her and her partner extremely shaken.

"The car is a high-powered type and has not yet been recovered. It is possible that the offenders are still using this car and I am appealing to anyone who has seen a car matching its description to get in touch."

The first man is described as white, 5ft 10 or 11ins tall, medium-heavy build, wearing a black balaclava, black trousers, a black bomber jacket, black gloves and was carrying a knife.

The second offender was white, 5ft 10ins tall, medium build, wearing a black hat pulled to just above his eyes, a blue anorak zipped up to his nose, and was carrying a screwdriver.

The third man was white, and was wearing dark clothing, a black balaclava and gloves.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time or has any information surrounding this incident to contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

A COUPLE were forced out of their bed by a gang armed with knives and ordered to hand over the keys to their £15,000 high-powered car during a horrific robbery at their home.

The victims, who are both in their 30s, are so traumatised by what happened that they have been unable to return to the house in Bank House Close, Tyldsley.

The gang entered the house through a downstairs window and armed themselves with kitchen knives and scewdrivers before going upstairs.

The robbers confronted the couple who had been asleep in bed and demanded their car keys.

They handed them over and the gang locked them in a downstairs room before escaping in the black Skoda Octavia RS, registration HV02 PXE.

They also stole a mobile phone and a wallet containing cash and cards.

DC Peter Morris from Leigh CID said: "This was a particularly frightening experience for the victims. They have been so distressed by the robbery that they have had to move from their own home.

"The woman was recovering from a spell in hospital at the time and this whole experience has left her and her partner extremely shaken.

"The car is a high-powered type and has not yet been recovered. It is possible that the offenders are still using this car and I am appealing to anyone who has seen a car matching its description to get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to call Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."