A MAN locked himself in a cupboard to escape from two knife-wielding thugs who ransacked his flat.

The 51-year-old man was at home in a second floor flat on Cable Street, in Bolton town centre, when he heard the pair forcing their way into his address at 10.30pm on Tuesday.

The man was confronted by two men in the doorway to his flat and was threatened with a knife which one of the pair pulled from his pocket.

The offenders then ordered the man to hand over his wallet and he locked himself in a cupboard in the hallway while the two men rifled through his belongings.

They eventually fled with a digital television receiver and the man's wallet.

Police are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity of the flat at the time to get in touch with them. Detective Constable Steve Riddle of Bolton CID said: "This was a nasty attack on a man in his own home and although he was not injured, he was very shaken. We are keen to find the two people responsible as soon as possible and would anybody with information to get in touch."

The first man is described as white, in his early 20s, 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build.

He was wearing a Burberry baseball cap and a red T-shirt with a logo on the left breast.

The second man is described as white, in his late teens, 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build.

He was wearing dark coloured clothing and a baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bolton CID on 0161 856 0064 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.