A FAMILY held captive during a brutal raid at their home in Bolton-le-Sands last week has made an emotional plea for help.

Three masked thugs wielding a carving knife and poker plundered their house escaping with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, cash and valuables.

They bound the householder and her guest, and told them to lie on the floor. Two family members who turned up at the house during the raid were also held captive.

Still deep in shock from the ordeal, which happened last Thursday night at about 7pm, one family member told the Citizen: "The family have been completely terrified by the event. We are all suffering from the symptoms of shock. All we ask is that if people know anything about what happened to tell the police, even if they think it is something inconsequential so we can start to get over this and perhaps get back to normality."

The raiders, who spoke with Liverpudlian accents, escaped in the family's 'P' registered Audi which was later abandoned by the canal near the Packet Boat Hotel.

Police have launched an extensive investigation into the raid and police divers were searching the bottom of the canal for clues.

So far they have recovered the carving knife used in the attack which was found in the village and a stolen handbag has also been retrieved from Crosby, in Merseyside.

They have issued descriptions of the three thugs. One was white, stocky in his late teens to early 20s and wore a military style jacket. The second robber was also white and stocky. The final accomplice was a small wiry man, who police believe was Asian.

Ring the police on 63333 if you can help with inquiries.

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