MASKED robbers armed with crowbars tied up an elderly couple after breaking into their home.

Bryan Gregg and Hilda Townley managed to escape unhurt after the late night attack but were said to be 'very shaken up'.

Police said their home in Castle Oval was raided by a group of men at around 10pm on Tuesday.

They tied up the couple, believed to be in their 70s or 80s, before searching the family home and taking more than £10,000 worth of cash and other items.

Police said the couple managed to escape after freeing themselves and going to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm. They had been tied up for between ten and 15 minutes.

Neighbour Matthew Spence said he saw a silver Subaru drive up to a block of garages near the couple’s home.

“It's quite unusual for any car to drive up there at that time of night,” said Mr Spence. “I was reversing on to my drive and it sped off. About 20 minutes later I heard the emergency services arrive. It’s a very quiet street normally."

Mr Gregg has been running a scrap yard at Gatebeck industrial estate since 1964. Andy Jackson who works close by, at Jackson Motors, said there had been a number of thefts in the area. Mr Jackson's business has been broken into twice in two months.

“It's very worrying,” said Mr Jackson. “Who's to say they won’t follow me home and tie me and my wife up.  This needs to be sorted out - it’s getting out of hand. Bryan is a great guy. I've known him since I was about five.”

Sean Lowther, who has worked for Mr Gregg for 18 years, said he saw him the morning after the robbery.

“He was quite shaken up,” said Mr Lowther. “He was happy they didn’t hurt him or his partner. I was very shocked when I heard the news this morning. It's unfair, he's worked all his life and to have someone come and steal from him at night, it’s not on."

Detective Sergeant Mark Kerley said: “This was a particularly nasty incident that has left an elderly couple shocked and upset.  The victims weren’t physically injured and are being cared for by family and supported by police.

“Witnesses who have come forward so far believe that a grey or silver estate car was in the area around the time the incident took place and may have been involved.

“We are committed to finding those who did this so that we can bring them to justice. Police inquiries are continuing and we will be examining CCTV footage from the area.”

Any witnesses are urged by police to call 101.