DETECTIVES are investigating after a couple were threatened with a knife in their own home by an intruder.

The terrifying incident happened in the village of Craghead, near Stanley, County Durham, at 5.10pm on Friday.

The couple, who are both in their late sixties, answered a knock at the front door of their home in Larch Terrace.

When they opened the door they were confronted with a man, thought to be in his early twenties and dressed in dark clothing who then barged into the passage way.

He grabbed hold of the woman and threatened her husband with a knife as he made repeated demands for money.

Despite his threats and repeated demands for cash they managed to stay calm and pushed him back down the hallway and out of the front door.

The would-be robber then walked down the garden path and out of the gate, turning left to walk out along Larch Terrace.

Detective Inspector Dunny McCubbin said: “We believe robbery was clearly the motive and at this stage we think the house was targeted at random, there is nothing to suggest the victims were singled out for any reason.

“They both showed great spirit in forcing the intruder out of the house and thankfully neither were seriously hurt.

“Extra patrols were carried out over the weekend to reassure local residents and carry out initial enquiries in the area.”

Both victims sustained cuts and bruises in the struggle and were left badly shaken by what had happened to them.

The intruder is described as white, slim to medium build, approximately 5ft 9ins tall and was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood pulled tightly over his head.

He also wore a scarf over his mouth and sunglasses and the couple describe the knife as having a blade around six inches long and possibly rusted.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 0355 of November 27.