MASKED men armed with a machete robbed a man while he slept on his sofa.

The three raiders broke into his home on West Bank Street in Atherton, held the machete to his throat and forced him to hand over a significant amount of cash.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the robbery on Thursday, July 13, to come forward.

Detective constable Chris Waddicar, of Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan borough division, said: “This was a terrifying raid where a man has been awoken by a gang of men holding a machete to his throat.

“The victim has been left extremely shaken by this incident and it is fortunate that he was not seriously injured.”

Police were called to reports of a robbery at 12.40am.

After waking up to the robbers threatening him with a machete, the homeowner was dragged upstairs and forced to hand over money.

The masked men also stole electrical equipment and two sets of car keys before fleeing on foot.

One of the men is described as white, of slim build and in his 20s.

He was wearing a ski mask with a white rim and spoke with a local accent.

DC Waddicar added: “If you heard anything untoward or saw three men acting suspiciously in the area at the time I would urge you to contact us and help to bring the men responsible to justice.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting the incident number 80 of July 13. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.