A BRAVE 16-year-old girl saved her terrified family from robbers who were brandishing a meat cleaver and an 18-inch machete.

Two masked raiders broke into the family's Leigh home before threatening a 46-year-old father with the meat cleaver.

His daughter barricaded herself in a bedroom with her 10-year-old brother before dialling 999 on her mobile phone.

The robbers were trying to break down the bedroom door when they heard the girl talking to police.

They then fled empty-handed.

Police have praised the girl for her bravery and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Det Con Claire Hughes said: "It was thanks to poise and bravery shown by this young girl, in the face of genuinely terrifying circumstances, that these intruders escaped empty-handed.

"Faced with the prospect of men brandishing a machete bursting into her room, she used her mobile phone to call the police which was enough to scare these cowards off and caused them to flee.”

The attack happened at the house in Chepstow Grove at about 10pm yesterday.

The dad had returned to the house with his son after dropping his wife off at work. His daughter was already at home.

About 15 minutes later, the intruders appeared in the hallway armed with the machete.

The duo barged into the kitchen and demanded to know where the father kept his money — threatening him with the blade in his face.

When his son went downstairs to see what was happening, one of thieves motioned for the boy to go upstairs.

He ran upstairs and shut himself in the bedroom with his older sister, who then called the police.

Det Const Hughes added: "The entire family have been subjected to a horrendous, frightening ordeal and thankfully none were physically attacked or injured.

"Nevertheless, anyone who themselves has suffered at the hands of burglars will know just how upsetting it is to have the sanctity of their homes invaded in such a way.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information about this incident to come forward. We need to find the culprits as they are clearly dangerous individuals with access to weapons so if anyone does have information, please speak to us, in confidence if needed."

The first thief is described as white, about 6ft 2in tall, in his mid-20s with bright blue eyes and wearing dark clothes and a balaclava.

The other man, carrying the meat cleaver, was said to be white, slightly shorter and wearing similar clothes.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.