A BRAVE grandfather fought off two masked raiders who terrorised him with a kitchen knife in his own home.

The man and his wife had not long woken up when two thugs burst into their home at 7.50am demanding cash.

They punched the 63-year-old man repeatedly, attempted to knife him in the stomach and pulled back his head, holding the blade to his throat.

His wife heard the commotion and walked in on the violence but her husband desperately signalled to her with his eyes to get to safety.

As she ran out the armed attacker followed her with the knife and it was then that her husband acted to protect them.

The woman managed to grab a phone and lock herself in a bedroom to call 999 and alert the police.

Fearing for his wife’s and his own safety he heroically launched an attack on the raiders, who even smashed a large glass bowl onto his head in the frenzied assault as one shouted “cut him, cut him”.

He told police that he punched one of the raiders repeatedly, causing him to bleed profusely from his mouth and nose.

CCTV footage captured the two men fleeing. One of them was clutching his face.

Armed police officers as well as a specialist dog team arrived at the detached home in Ower on the A36 Salisbury Road but the two men had escaped.

Police believe that they were on the A36 heading towards Ower roundabout and the services.

They believe that their getaway car was parked in the bus stop layby on the A36.

Both victims were left shocked and the man suffered severe bruising and cuts to his eyes and face.

Nothing was stolen in the raid.

Forensic experts carried out investigations in the home, where they found blood from one of the attackers.

Police are treating the crime as an attempted robbery and have now appealed for witnesses to come forward with information.

Investigating officer Detective Anyone with information about the attempted robbery, on Monday morning at 7.50am, should call Det Con Ash at Southampton Central police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.