MASKED raiders smashed their way into a couple’s home and tied them up in a terrifying night raid.

The couple, who run a gunsmith business, managed to break free and went to a relative’s house, believed to be their daughter’s, where the alarm was raised.

The pair, who are in their 60s, of Carlton, near Stockton, were unharmed in the Monday night raid and police do not believe the robbers escaped with any guns or any other property.

Police were alerted shortly before 10pm and the police helicopter, armed police officers and the dog section were sent to the small village but the raiders had escaped.

There were up to five masked men in the house and a weapon was brandished by the thugs. It is thought the couple’s ordeal lasted about half an hour.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman confirmed the couple had been restrained but had managed to break free. The crime is being treated as an aggravated burglary.

Neighbours and fellow villagers described the victims as a quiet, respectable couple.

Joanne Heslop, who owns a nearby residential home, said: “They keep themselves to themselves. I don’t see them often, but I was very relieved when a member of staff said they’d seen him and he looked all right. It must have been terrifying.”

Another neighbour, who has a livestock business next door, but did not wish to be named, said: “She was just here very kindly giving the animals some food. They’re both very pleasant to talk to. I’d say they were just a quiet, decent couple and I hope they’re okay.”

A woman in the village shop and post office said the village had been alerted that something was wrong by the police cars and helicopter.

“It is extremely rare for something like this to happen here,” she said.

“I don’t think we’ve had excitement like this here before. It is a very quiet, nice village.”

Anyone with any information is urged to call Detective Sergeant Stuart Hodgson on 01642-302226.