AN elderly couple were subjected to a terrifying ordeal after being confronted by three vicious masked thugs in the living room of their Lostock home.

The man and wife, both aged 60, were threatened with a cosh before being ordered to hand over thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.

The thugs, all three wearing balaclava masks and white linen surgeon-style gloves, tied-up the couple before they calmly left the house in Chorley New Road.

The victims of the brutal robbery - who do not wish to be identified - have been left traumatised by the ordeal.

Police have not released the total value of the stolen haul which runs into many thousands of pounds. One of the rings stolen is worth £22,000 alone and a Rolex watch is valued at £21,400.

A large hunt was underway today for the well-organised gang who spoke with Merseyside accents. A reward under GMP's Crimestoppers scheme is on offer for information leading to their arrest.

The three thugs are believed to have climbed into the couple's detached home through a rear bathroom window at 10.30pm on Thursday.

The husband was confronted as he walked into the living room. He was frogmarched back inside before they were both threatened with the cosh.

When the husband tried to comfort his wife at one stage he was pushed against a wall and hit in the face. He suffered facial cuts and bruising to his wrists.

Police were alerted after the woman managed to struggle free from her bonds. She was unable to free her husband who eventually had to be released by police officers.

The couple were left deeply shocked. A doctor was called to the house to treat the wife who police said was "extremely upset and traumatised."

The man leading the police hunt, Det Chief Insp David Emsley, head of Astley Bridge CID, bitterly condemned the three thugs. He said: "To be subjected to an ordeal like that by burglars in your own home is frightening in the extreme. "My sympathies are with the couple particularly with the lady involved who has been left severely traumatised."

He added: "This was a brutal offence. I would like to assure the couple, and all the residents in the Lostock area, that we will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice."

The three thugs are white with Merseyside accents. One is about 5ft 7ins tall, thin features and in his mid 20s. Anyone who believes they saw anything suspicious or has any information is asked to contact Astley Bridge CID on the hot-line number 0161 856 5754 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated in confidence.

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