TWO men in balaclavas and armed with a hammer and handgun threatened a Winsford woman after they broke into her home.

The incident happened at 8.45pm on Tuesday, June 6, while the 24-year-old woman was at home with her husband on Station Road when the men entered through a back door.

The 28-year-old husband fled from the house by jumping through a first floor window leaving his wife alone in the house with the intruders.

Det Sgt Dave Snasdell, from Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "They were armed with what we believe was a handgun and hammer and demanded to know where the male occupant of the house was.

"They then made a search of the property before leaving and it must have been a terrifying ordeal for her.

"The woman was uninjured but has obviously been left very distressed by what happened to her."

Police are now appealing for information in connection with the incident.

The man holding the gun was white, 6ft 2in and is described as being of proportionate build and wearing a dark or black tracksuit.

The second man, who carried the hammer, was smaller in height and build.

Det Sgt Snasdell has reassured residents that the use of handguns in Winsford is extremely rare.

He said: "Incidents involving firearms in Winsford are few and far between but it is very concerning when it does happen.

"Obviously we are very keen to identify who is responsible for this because they have broken into someone's home armed with a handgun.

"Gun crime is not a major problem in Winsford and I would like to apprehend these people as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should call Det Sgt Dave Snasdell on 01244 612594.