A countryside community on the Suffolk and Essex border is still in shock after a Georgian mansion resident was shot through his bedroom door by armed intruders as he fled to safety.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was being treated in hospital for a “serious” a gunshot wound to his leg after the raid on his home in Rectory Road, Sible Hedingham, Essex, at around 4.40am on Saturday, police said.

The man had locked himself in his bedroom at the Old Rectory but he is now in “great pain” after suffering life-changing injuries, Essex Police added.

A search of the area was carried out but the suspects were not located.

Although nothing is believed to have been stolen from the property, detectives are treating the intrusion as an aggravated burglary.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Mark Cadd, said: “Two men forced entry to the house in the early of hours of the morning and threatened the householder, a man in his 40s.

“He locked himself in a bedroom and it is believed a gun was then fired through the door, injuring him. The two men have then fled from the property and at this time it is not believed that anything has been taken. The two suspects are both white, aged in their 20s, of slim build and wearing dark clothing.

“One of them is described as bald. This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim and he has suffered life-changing injuries which have left him in great pain.

“I urgently need to find the men responsible and I would appeal for anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in Sible Hedingham, either before or after the burglary, to call police.”

At the weekend, police remained at the scene carrying out fingertip forensic searches and house to house enquiries.

A reward of £1,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the offenders. To help, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.