ARMED raiders held a Ringwood man hostage in his own bedroom while they burgled his home in a terrifying broad daylight attack on Tuesday afternoon.

The man, aged in his late 40s, was at home in Bishops Court between 1pm and 1.30pm when there was a knock on the door.

When he answered it two men forced their way inside and threatened him with a knife before bundling him into an upstairs bedroom. The thieves then ramsacked a downstairs room, stealing a wallet and the man's car keys, before making their getaway.

Acting Detective Sergeant Steve Deeprose of Ringwood CID said: "This is a very serious and violent incident. Anyone with any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of these two men is encouraged to come forward."

Eventually the shocked man left the room to discover that the thieves had disappeared. He telephoned the police immediately.

Officers are unable to say for certain how long the burglars were in the house.

The man's car was not stolen and officers are still trying to find out exactly what was in his wallet.

The burglar with the knife was of mixed race, 5ft 7ins, of stocky build and was wearing a dark duffel coat. His accomplice was a 5ft 8in man, wearing dark clothing and with a hood pulled over his head.

Anyone who recognises the descriptions or has any information should contact DC Deeprose at Ringwood CID on 0845 0454545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.