BUSINESSMAN Peter Wolfenden today told how his wife feared for her life as masked robbers struck at their luxury home.

"I'm more annoyed than anything else but Margaret was worried they might turn violent," he said.

"She definitely feared for her life.

"If I could have got free they'd have known about it," added the down-to-earth company boss.

Three men jumped on the couple as they relaxed at their home at Carr Laund, Carr Hall, Barrowford.

"I was sitting in the sun lounge watching TV when I felt someone grab me round the neck from behind," said Mr Wolfenden, 60, who owns LBS Polythene in Cotton Tree, Colne.

"I thought it was some kind of joke at first but they kept putting on the pressure and I began to choke.

"Two of them put me on the floor and then threw my jacket over my head so I couldn't see anything.

"I was easy prey, sat in my chair with my back to them."

The raiders bound Mr Wolfenden's hands and frogmarched him upstairs.

In the meantime, another man had grabbed Mrs Wolfenden, 55, who was sitting in the lounge and made her tell them where the valuables were.

The robbers are believed to have got away with cash and jewellery worth up to £100,000.

"Margaret was getting worried because the men were getting more and more irate," said Mr Wolfenden.

"They didn't threaten us directly because we did what we were told. We co-operated with them because we didn't have any other option. It was a case of 'tell us where the money is and you won't get hurt.' "Margaret was upset but I was more annoyed than anything else. If I had had the chance I would have had a go at them.

"The money isn't important but the jewellery has got sentimental value."

The couple were bound together and warned not to raise the alarm for 20 minutes as the robbers fled with their haul.

They managed to get free and push a panic alarm. The police arrived within minutes.

"I think they must have been watching the house for a fair bit," added Mr Wolfenden, a member of Colne Noyna Rotary Club and a leading Conservative supporter.

"They knew the area and the house grounds, and where the fences are."

"If I could just get my hands on them I'd give them what for," he added.

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