A BABY has been treated in hospital after machete-wielding armed robbers discharged pepper spray during a burglary on Thursday.

Three men, armed with a baseball bat, machete and what was believed to be pepper spray, threatened a couple with a baby in their home on Pentland Avenue, Billingham, Teesside, at about 9.30pm.

The man with the pepper spray discharged the canister in the room with all three occupants there, before the burglars all left empty-handed. The couple took their baby to the University Hospital of North Tees to be checked over and they were discharged. No-one was injured but the victims are said to be "very shaken".

One of the men is described as being around 16-17-years-old, of large build, around 5 ft 7ins, wearing a brown army jacket, black trousers with a neck warmed pulled over his nose and he was carrying a machete. The machete is described as a having a black handle and a black blade.

The second man was smaller, around 16-17-years-old, of slim build and was wearing a black hooded top, black bottoms, a black scarf and black gloves and he was carrying a wooden bat.

The third man is described as a white male, around 5 ft 3ins tall, around 17-years-old, of medium build, with short brown hair and wearing a black hoody and black trousers.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects or regarding the incident is asked to contact DC Andrew Menzies on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.