A TRAUMATISED mum-of-two says a gang of balaclava-wearing thugs burst into her home and attacked her partner.

Police were called to Bury Road in Tottington at around 8.30pm last night.

Ambulance crews say they took a man to hospital, but did not reveal the nature of the injuries.

It was previously believed the incident was linked to a separate assault in the same area after vandals set fire to an allotment.

However the woman, who did not wish to be named, said her 36-year-old partner suffered stab wounds to his head and back after he was attacked by men armed with a brick chisel.

She says the man was sat watching television at the family home when four offenders broke in.

She says they then tried to force their way upstairs to where his 35-year-old partner and daughters aged nine and 15 were getting ready for bed, she told the Bury Times.

However, she says the builder was able to fight them off.

The attackers then fled, damaging the family's fridge with the chisel before dropping it on their way out.

The woman says the men were joined by two more offenders who had smashed up the family's Mini car and the builder's van, and looted his tools.

She said: "One minute everything was happy we were having tea and going up to bed, and then this happened.

"I honestly thought they were going to kill him."

Following the attack emergency services flooded the scene, including around 10 police cars, criminal investigation department and forensics officers, and an ambulance and two rapid response vehicles ­— the woman added.

The man was then rushed to hospital where he is said to have spent 14 hours undergoing treatment for his injuries ­— including lacerations to his head and back, cuts and bruises, and a bite mark on his chest.

He has since been discharged, however his partner says he has been told he will require follow-up appointments at the GP to assess whether he is suffering from lasting effects of concussion and internal bleeding around his kidneys.

She is now appealing for anyone with any information or CCTV footage to come forward and pass it on to the police.

"This has left us shaken up and it is devastating that this could happen and we don't know the reason why," she said.

"I'm just appealing for anyone who has seen or heard anything to pass this on to the police."

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for more information.

Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) confirmed two rapid response vehicles and an ambulance were sent to the scene.

The NWAS spokesman added: "We were called to a private address in Bury Road and a patient was taken to hospital."