A MAN was attacked by five masked robbers who broke into his house and waited for him to return home from a night out.

The victim returned to his house near the Shahjan Indian Restaurant, on the A59, Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale, at around 1am on Saturday and was confronted by the gang who threatened him with a knife.

A fight broke out in the lounge of the house, and the victim, in his 50s, was held to the floor by the offenders.

The victim's wife and his grown up son and daughter, had been upstairs while the robbers had lay in wait.

When they heard the fight they came downstairs, disturbing the offenders who fled empty handed.

The man suffered cuts and bruises during the incident which had left the family shaken, police said.

Detective Sergeant Zoe Russo, said the robbery was "a one-off incident" and the family were probably targeted because they "lived in a nice house".

She said it was believed the robbers would have made off in a vehicle.

DS Russo said: "We think they have managed to sneak into the house prior to the victim returning and they have been laying in wait.

"The family were put through an extremely frightening ordeal and are still very shocked at what happened."

The robbers were all white men.

They were wearing dark clothes and had scarves covering their faces.

Police are appealing for witnesses or for anybody who saw anyone acting suspiciously on the A59 to come forward.

Anybody with information should contact Clitheroe CID on 01200 458741 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.