A FORMER bodyguard of Jimmy Savile today told how he fought off three masked raiders who burst into his home.

Barry Collins, 57, grappled with the three men after they forced their way into the house on the outskirts of Blackburn shortly before 9pm last night.

Mr Collins lives in a cottage next to a large house belonging to an elderly couple in the Ribble Valley who he works for as a gardener and handyman.

Police are looking at the possibility that the intruders were planning to rob the elderly couple's home.

Mr Collins said today: "I used to be a bodyguard for Jimmy Savile so I am used to fighting. They threatened me with knives and tried to tie me up, but they got more than they bargained for."

He said he was watching TV when the men burst into his home.

The robbers fled empty-handed and are believed to have been injured after the tussle with Mr Collins.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with a three-inch cut on his head, but was allowed home after treatment. The three robbers escaped in a white Astra van which was stolen from outside Mr Collins home. The van, which has the registration number J25 TDC, was found abandoned on the A59 close to Woodfields Garage.

Police believe at least one of the raiders was hurt in the robbery and are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

Acting Det Inspector Wilf Robinson said: "This was a very serious crime which could have resulted in someone being seriously injured.

"These three men burst into someone's home late at night and were prepared to use violence.

"We are appealing for anyone who was in the area who saw anything suspicious to contact us as soon as possible."

All three men were wearing masks, have stocky builds and were between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in. The raiders were all aged between 25 and 35 and spoke with Liverpool accents.

Anyone with information should ring Blackburn police on 01254 51212.

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