A man and his two young children were held at gunpoint as three robbers ransacked their home.

The intruders used an axe to smash their way through the window of the back door of the home, in The Green, Glinton, between 7.10pm and 7.20pm on Monday (November 17).

One threatened the 51-year-old victim with a sawn-off shotgun and demanded to know where money and jewellery were kept.

They left with a pillowcase full of items, including a gun-metal grey iPhone 5S, a men’s gold analogue wrist watch with diamonds encrusted in the face, worth about £2,500, and about £4,000 in foreign currency.

One of the offenders is described as 5ft 9in and wore grey tracksuit bottoms and a dark, full-face balaclava. He was carrying a sawn-off shotgun which was cut down to the wooden stock and was a ‘side-by-side’ barrel type.

The second man is described as slim, 5’9”, with a northern accent and wore a grey hooded jacket. He carried an orange-handled axe which was about 18 inches in length.

The third man is described as being 5’8”, thin and wore a dark balaclava.

Detective constable Stuart Cooper said: “This was extremely distressing for the victim and his two children who were in the house at the time. I would urge anyone who may have information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact us immediately.

“The road where the offenders parked their vehicle is often used by dog walkers – anyone who does use this road and may have seen a vehicle or men acting suspiciously should get in touch.”

INFORMATION: Anyone with information should call DC Cooper on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.