THIS is the face of a hammer-wielding robber police are hunting following a terrifying raid on a Suffolk home which saw two pensioners tied up and smothered with pillows.

THIS is the face of a hammer-wielding robber police are hunting following a terrifying raid on a Suffolk home which saw two pensioners tied up and smothered with pillows.

Detectives are hoping the computer-generated image may prompt more witnesses to contact them after receiving a disappointing response to appeals for information about the attack in Chevington, near Bury St Edmunds.

During the raid, Lucy Davies, 71, and her 77-year-old husband Dennis, were left fearing for their lives after two robbers struck at around 4am on Tuesday.

The men burst into the bedroom of their home, which neighbours the village post office, threatened the couple with claw hammers and bound their hands and feet. They then demanded keys for the post office, which Mrs Davies ran prior to her retirement.

A pillow was then placed over Mr Davies' face, causing him to suffer an asthma attack which later resulted in a visit to the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds.

But the couple's trauma was not over, with the thugs, who left empty-handed smashing the handle of their bedroom door and trapping them inside their bedroom.

Earlier this week, the pensioners described their ordeal to the EADT, with Mr Davies saying: "It was terrifying. I thought I was going to die. I was fighting for breath and my heart was racing."

Det Insp Karl Smith, who is leading the investigation for Suffolk police, said: "So far we have had a limited response from our appeals for information, but hope that by releasing the e-fit we may jog someone's memory and encourage more people to come forward.

"Mr and Mrs Davies are still extremely shaken by the ordeal but have been exceptionally brave under what must be tremendously difficult circumstances.

"Please have a good look at this e-fit. Think back to the past few days or weeks and consider if you have seen this man in or around the village of Chevington."

The man is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall and in his 30s. He was of medium build, and wore a dark woollen hat, dark trousers and a jacket.

His accomplice was also white, around 5ft 9ins tall and of medium build. His face was obscured with a balaclava, and he wore a dark jacket and dark trousers.

Anyone who recognises the e-fit, or has any other information on the raid, should contact Suffolk Police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.