A MASKED gang of armed intruders burst into a secluded house, killed a pet dog and robbed a group of men inside.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the terrifying incident at Stoodley Lodge, near Victoria Terrace, Eastwood, Todmorden.

Police said a gang of four or five men burst into the house at 12.14 am armed with at least one shotgun and other weapons including clubs. They attacked those inside, killed a dog and fled with cash.

They are believed to have made off in a car parked nearby.

There were three men, aged 44, 31 and 19 and a 42-year-old woman in the house at the time of the attack.

The 44-year-old man received serious head injuries and was taken to Calderdale Royal Hospital where he was detained. The three others were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "It was reported that several suspects had entered the premises and after making threats and assaulting several people, a large quantity of cash was stolen."

The remote house, located up a dirt track, was sealed off yesterday and scenes of crime officers were examining the house.

A neighbour, who lives in Elizabeth Terrace, said: "We don't really know what has happened at the lodge - we were woken up when the police cars arrived. This is normally a really quiet place."