POLICE are appealing for information following a burglary in Cheltenham on Monday.

At around 8pm four men wearing balaclavas forced their way into a flat in Harrison Road, Shurdington.

The 48-year-old householder attempted to prevent their entry but was overcome. He was punched in the face and threatened with a large knife. He was also hit on the back of his head and sustained injuries to his wrist.

The four men made a brief search of the premises and picked up the householder's mobile phone taking cash tucked inside the case. The man pleaded for the return of his phone saying he had family photos on it. The men vacated the property and left the phone in the stairwell.

Police would like to hear from anyone with further information or who heard or saw anything in the area on Monday evening. Please call 101 quoting Incident No 417 of January 5 2015.