A 33-year-old man had a nine-inch carving knife held to his throat by burglars who stole £300 from his home.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at Beaufort Street, Nelson, at 3.05pm yesterday.

Two men entered the house through an unlocked front door and one went into the man's kitchen and got the carving knife.

He gave it to the second man who held it at the householder's throat and threatened him and told him not to say anything.

The first man then stole £300 from the table in the living room and they both left, leaving the carving knife at the scene.

The householder was shaken by the incident but not injured.

Three other men were seen outside the property.

The men are all described as Asian but the police said although the aggrieved was white they are not treating it as a racially motivated incident.

The first offender who got the knife is aged around 21, 6ft 2ins, stocky, with short, black collar length hair, clean shaven and wearing dark clothing.

The second man who threatened the householder is early 30s, 5ft 10ins, large build with a very short haircut.

A third man who was keeping watch outside is described at 6ft and in his mid 30s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nelson CID on 01282 472645.