A CAR dealer and his partner were attacked and tied up by three masked men who raided their home.

Cash, jewellery and credit cards were stolen from the secluded house in Rosegrove, Burnley.

The couple's ordeal began before 10pm last night when the man went out to the wheelie bin and was attacked by the crooks who him forced back into the house.

The victim, a man in his mid-40s, put up a struggle but was wrestled to the floor and assaulted about the head and body.

He was not seriously hurt.

He and his partner were tied up with material brought to the house by the offenders while the intruders carried out a search of the property.

The couple were badly shaken by the ordeal and were being interviewed by detectives today. The robbers wore masks or balaclavas and used accents from outside the area. No weapons were seen.

House-to-house inquiries are being made by police.

Det Insp Ron Griffiths said: "They were subjected to demands and asked for the safe keys. Both were tied up.

"Property believed to be cash, jewellery and credit cards was stolen. We will get a better description of the items taken when we speak to the victims today.''

It is not known just how long the couple remained tied up or how they managed to get free. Police were contacted at about 10pm and quickly arrived at the detached house which is in its own grounds.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw anything suspicious or any unusual vehicles in the area last night up to 10pm.

Anyone with information should contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001 or ring Crimestoppers in anonymity on 0800 555111.

At this stage, there is nothing to link the raid with other attacks on isolated properties in East Lancashire.

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