A COUPLE in their 80s who were threatened at knifepoint by a robber who raided their home have spoken about their terrifying ordeal.

Donald and Bettina Ballard were having a lunchtime rest at their home in Four Elms Hill, Chattenden, near Rochester, when the thief broke in and stole £350 from their bedroom.

While he was ransacking the room 84-year-old Mrs Ballard heard a noise and confronted the man who was wielding a knife which he had taken from a kitchen drawer. As Mr Ballard, 83, awoke he threatened them with the weapon, which had a 9in long serrated blade before fleeing the house.

Mrs Ballard, who used to run a fruit shop with her husband in Frindsbury, near Strood, said: "I sat down and I thought I heard a noise. I got up and went to the back door and found the porch door was open. As I came through the house our bedroom door was open, but I didn't think too much of it.

"Then I heard this noise and as I got up I saw a fellow with a knife in his hand walking towards me. He said 'don't come anywhere nearer. It's your money I want. Don went to put his hand in his pocket and he reached for his wallet, but the fellow got on top of him and grabbed it."

The couple are still reeling from the shock of their ordeal. Mrs Ballard added:"It wasn't so much frightening at the time. I just couldn't believe it was real. He was such a mean-looking man."

A police spokesman said: ""This was a particularly nasty attack on a vulnerable couple. We are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious to come forward."

The robber is described as white, mid 20s, 5ft tall, slim-built, dark brown hair with a thin face. He was wearing a brown, speckled jumper with "USA" written on it, dark trousers and light brown boots.

Any with information is asked to ring police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.