MEMBERS of the community in Salterforth said they were ‘disgusted’ by the attack on Royal Navy veteran Bob Schofield and called on police to catch the offenders.

The eighty-nine-year old is being treated in hospital along with his wife Mollie, 87, after being repeatedly beaten by burglars hours after Remembrance Sunday.

Neighbour Neville Pilkington, who only moved to the village in the last 10 weeks, said: “I’m not just shocked, I’m absolutely appalled.

"I couldn’t believe it when I heard this morning. We were told it was a really quiet place where nothing ever happens.”

A local resident, who lives in Cross Flatts Crescent and asked not to be named, said: “You couldn’t wish to meet a nicer couple.

"They have lived here their whole lives and he is a lovely man.”

Helena Dunsdon, headteacher at Salterforth Primary, which is situated yards away from the Schofields’ home, said: “We are shocked to hear that something as violent as this could occur in a quiet, close knit community such as Salterforth.

“Our parents and children were saddened to hear what had happened in the village and would like to wish Bob and Mollie a speedy recovery.”

Geoff Haydock, Salterforth parish council chairman, said "This comes as a great shock and I'm sure everyone in the village will be very upset by what has happened.

"Certainly the parish council will be doing everything we can to help this couple.

"For someone to attack a couple in their 90s is simply unbelievable and I hope the person responsible is caught and given a hefty sentence."

David Whipp, Pendle and County councillor and police authority member, said the area had a low crime rate.

But he added: "Whoever has done this should be consumed by shame at what they have done to elderly people in their own home.

"I hope they are found and severely punished for the trauma they have caused to this elderly couple and their family."

The attack happened just hours after millions of people across the UK paid tribute to soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the First World War as part of Remembrance Sunday.

Stuart Gendall, spokesman for the Royal British Legion, said: "It's a terrible shame for something like this to happen on Remembrance Sunday, when we respect and remember those who have lost their lives and given service in war.

"The vast majority of people in the UK are very, very respectful and it is awful that this person could not do the same while the rest of the nation paid its respects.”