A woman was attacked by two armed robbers after they broke into her flat above a Steeton newsagents shop.

She was struck about the legs and arms by the masked assailants, who were armed with a baseball bat and a spade.

The woman -- who was treated for her injuries at Airedale Hospital -- had been asleep when the intruders broke in at about 12.40am yesterday.

Three young children were also in the Elmsley Street flat, which provides the living accommodation to the newsagents shop and post office. The assailants escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

Police have condemned the brutal attack and are appealing for help from the public to catch the culprits.

Detective Inspector Trevor Gasson, of Keighley police, said: "This was a very nasty incident. The suspects have gone pre-planned into the premises, while the occupants were in, and have used force to achieve their aims. Incidents of this nature are few and far between in the Keighley police division, and we are taking the matter very seriously.

"We are anxious to hear from anyone who may have information about the crime or saw something suspicious. If anybody was in the area at the time and could have seen the men -- who were carrying weapons and would be conspicuous -- please contact us."

Both suspects are aged around 25 to 30, and were wearing black balaclava helmets. One man was white and the other could be Afro-Caribbean.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Lucy Pitts at Keighley CID on 01535 617085, or the police helpdesk on 01535 617059.

The woman -- whose name is being withheld at the request of the police -- was too upset to talk to the Keighley News about the incident.