A terrified family was confronted by masked armed robbers in its Denholme home.

Three men wearing balaclavas were in the kitchen of the Cliffe Terrace house when they were disturbed by the family.

The raiders, armed with what were believed to be a pickaxe and a knife, threatened the occupants and demanded cash and property before searching the house and taking three mobile phones and a set of car keys. The items were all recovered shortly afterwards.

The family was shocked but not physically injured.

Police are appealing for information about the incident, which happened at about 8.30pm yesterday.

"This was a terrifying ordeal for a family to be subjected to in their own home,” said Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Airedale and North Bradford CID.

“A teenage girl has been left traumatised by the incident.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have any information or who saw anybody in the area acting suspiciously to contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

One of the robbers is described as Asian, aged 19 to 24 and about 5ft 11ins tall. He was wearing dark clothing and white gloves.

The second man is also of Asian appearance and believed to be around the same age. He was a few inches shorter and of chubby build and was wearing a grey hooded top.

The third man is white and was wearing dark clothing.

All had balaclavas.