AN ELDERLY couple have spoken of the terrifying moment masked men broke into their home armed with a hammer and screwdrivers.

Bill and Barbara Thomas, both 71, of Croesyceiliog, were eating dinner in their kitchen when around five men broke in through a side window and demanded money.

After threatening to shoot Mr Thomas and to take his wife away, they attacked him with a hammer and screwdriver.

The raiders trashed the house and stole a 'significant' amount of cash, before making off towards the M4 eastbound in a blue Audi which had tinted windows.

"The five masked men broke in when we were having our tea," said Mr Thomas, who has lived in the home for around 30 years.

"They were looking for money. They threatened us and then attacked me with a hammer on my shoulder and they attacked me several times with a large screwdriver.

"They then generally terrorised us and threatened us."

Just six months ago, three men broke into the couple's home, again taking a significant sum of money.

Mr Thomas was left with bruising to his eye and shoulder and received treatment at Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

"They did not hit my wife but they threatened her," he said.

"They said they were going to take her away and that they were going to shoot me.

"I said "go on, then", and one of the men hit me on the arm with a screwdriver."

Mr Thomas said every room in the house was left 'trashed' and that other members of the family had visited to help them recover.

"It has left us feeling dreadful. It is terrifying," he added.

The terrifying ordeal was said to have lasted around 20 to 30 minutes.

Mr Thomas praised the police for their support and is urging anyone with information to come forward.

The men all had their faces covered and were wearing dark clothing, however one of the men wore a navy jacket with a distinctive silver or white letter ‘W’ on the chest.

Detective Inspector Bob Toghill said: "This was a particularly nasty incident where people were threatened in their own home which has left them understandably very shaken.

"We are investigating this incident and are urging anyone who may have seen this vehicle or the offenders to contact us."

Residents in the neighbourhood expressed shock at the incident yesterday.

Cath Boycott, who lives in the area, said: "It is such a shock.

"You don't expect this type of thing to happen around here.

"People try to look out for each other."

She said she was also concerned to hear an elderly couple were targeted.

Shannon Williams, who works at The Upper Cock pub, added: "It is quite a close knit community.

"I was quite surprised to hear about it, especially the amount of people."

She said she had heard about several burglaries in the area recently, but nothing as serious as this incident.

Anyone who has any information should call 101 quoting log 494 16/11/17, alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.