Man and woman tied up in burglary

Three burglars who tied up a couple in their County Durham home are being sought by police.

They burst in when the 60-year-old woman answered a knock on the door of the house in The Willows, Carrville, Durham, on Friday night.

Her 62-year-old husband was threatened with a hammer, taken upstairs and forced to open two safes.

About £500 sterling, $450 and 200 euros were taken, along with items of jewellery.

The three men, who spoke with local accents, had their faces hidden with balaclavas.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "This was a serious incident and the couple were clearly shocked by the events.

"They were left tied up in the study but managed to raise the alarm with neighbours."