MASKED jewel thieves viciously slashed a man on his own driveway after hiding in the garden of his detached Whalley home.

Thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was stolen during the raid on a couple in Mitton Road.

The wife, a jewellery trader, and her husband had just arrived home when the robbers pounced.

The husband, who did not put up a struggle, was slashed with an unknown weapon. The wife had got inside the house when the gang struck.

Police said the raiders grabbed a large black holdall of jewellery which was on the passenger seat, before fleeing on foot towards Whalley.

The husband was left with severe cuts and damaged tendons to his wrist. He underwent reconstructive surgery at Royal Blackburn Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Police declined to name the victims, but the Lancashire Telegraph believes a Mr and Mrs Layton-Hill live at the address.

Officers said the raid – at 8.40pm on Tuesday – was pre-meditated.

Detective Inspector Claire Holbrook said the couple, who are both in their 40s, were in possession of a ‘large amount’ of expensive ladies’ jewellery at the time.

She said: “This was an extremely vicious and unprovoked attack. The gang was laying in wait in what was clearly a pre-meditated attack.

“While this type of incident is rare, clearly it was a very frightening ordeal for the couple involved and detectives are carrying out extensive inquiries.

“The man has suffered deep lacerations and tendon damage to his wrist and his wife is unhurt but with him in hospital.

“I appeal to anyone who saw what happened or anything suspicious in the area either before or after the incident to contact police. I am particularly interested in speaking to residents who saw any suspicious or unknown vehicles in the neighbourhood around the time of the robbery.”

The three robbers were wearing dark clothing and black balaclavas.

It is not known what weapon was used but police said the man’s injuries were consistent with him being attacked with a large blade.

Police said they were looking at possible links with an incident in Northwich, Cheshire, in December, but said it was too early to draw comparisons. The two incidents mirror each other, with a black holdall being taken from a car’s passenger seat as a jeweller returned home.

Neighbour Edward Phelps said he was out when the robbery happened.

“I came home and police had cordoned the area off. You don’t anticipate something like this happening in Whalley.”

Call police on 0845 1253545.