A family was subjected to a terrifying ordeal after being held at knifepoint by raiders in the middle of the afternoon.

A gang of robbers, described as black and aged around 17, targeted the home of the McEntee family, in Fraser Road, Edmonton, at about 3.30pm on Monday.

Brothers, Aiden 20, wheelchair-bound Ryan, 23, who has cerebral palsy, along with Christy, 16, and Vincent, aged eight, were watching TV when the gang struck.

They knocked on the door and pushed their way in, brandishing two knives and threatening to kill the brothers if they did not hand over cash and goods.

The horrifying ten-minute ordeal ended when the gang grabbed the family's Advent 32-inch plasma screen TV, worth more than £500.

They fled vowing to return.

Mum Catherine McEntee, 42, who has lived in Edmonton for 30 years, was walking the family dog when the attack took place. She returned to find her boys terrified.

She said: "I saw Aiden's face, and I knew immediately something was wrong. I was shocked when I found out what had happened.

"The boys are not saying much. They didn't sleep last night and are worried the gang might come back.

"Vincent is scared, but he's trying to put on a brave face. It's going to be hard for them."

Her son Aiden said: "I was upstairs watching TV in my room when I heard a knock at the door.

"I thought it might have been some friends calling, but I came down and there was a gang of boys in the living room.

"Their knives were under their T-shirts. They looked menacing, and one of them pointed a knife towards my stomach.

"They asked me for money and jewellery, but I said there was nothing, and they walked around before grabbing the TV and walking out.

"I was really shaken. I thought I was going to be stabbed."

Mrs McEntee added: "If this incident isn't a one-off, the next time the gang strike they could stab someone, and that's what I'm frightened about."

Investigating officer DS Russ Chinn said: "I am keen to speak to anyone with information about this crime.

"It happened in broad daylight, in a fairly busy area, and I would urge anyone who knows anything about it, or saw anything suspicious, to call us."

Anyone with information should call police on 8345 4441 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.