A SHOTGUN gang threatened to kill a couple in their beds if they did not hand over the keys to their luxury cars today.

Three masked men escaped with two vehicles worth a total of '70,000 after the terrifying 3am raid in Tyldesley, near Leigh.

A 38-year-old man and his wife, who were asleep in bed, were woken by the gang who were armed with a knife and sawn-off shotgun.

The couple handed over they keys after one man threatened to kill them.

He passed the keys to two others on the stairs.

The first thug remained in the doorway of the bedroom guarding the couple while the other two went to the vehicles.

Tracker

All three then left taking the couple's black BMW X5 worth about '40,000 and a grey Audi 6 Quatro worth '30,000 from the driveway.

The men had forced their way into the house in Well Street by smashing glass in a patio door.

They also took a plasma screen television.

The police helicopter was scrambled as both vehicles were fitted with tracker devices.

Signals were picked up as both cars were driven at speed around Salford. The BMW was abandoned at about 3.30am on Langley Road and the Audi on Whiteacre Drive a short time later.

A police spokesman said: "The couple are decent people and the man is a salesman. They have been left distraught and terrified by this ordeal."

Detectives today appealed for anyone who has information about the incident to call Leigh CID on 0161 856 7252 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.