DETECTIVES are still trying to discover exactly what was taken in a terrifying armed raid on a remote farmhouse in which two men in their 60s were tied up and threatened with a gun.

Four masked raiders escaped with cash, jewellery and antiques worth tens of thousands of pounds in the attack on the house at Billinge End Road, Pleasington, on Thursday evening.

The attackers, who all had Irish accents and wore balaclavas, bound the two men at their hands and feet, threatened them with a cosh and what is believed to be a gun and ordered them to hand over expensive goods and cash. Both men, who were severely traumatised, were allowed home from Blackburn Infirmary after treatment for head injuries.

Neighbours said the remote luxury farmhouse is owned by a man called Brian Hayman, 61, who lives with another man, also aged 61.

Police said the pair had been staying with a solicitor friend who lives nearby while investigations were continuing into their terrifying ordeal.

Mr Hayman was a partner in Bolton furniture business Gregory and Pollitts until it went into receivership last year.

The firm, which was more than 100 years old, had two subsidiaries Gregory and Pollitts Lighting and Delta House Furniture.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the raid and anyone with information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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