An elderly couple who were the victims of a brutal robbery are looking forward to a quiet Christmas.

Gwen and Bert Silvester, who have run Silvester Stores, in Magdalen Road, Oxford, for 54 years, were attacked by three masked intruders in October.

Mr Silvester, 80, a war veteran, was grabbed by the throat and pushed up against a wall when he went to investigate a crash on their upstairs landing. He suffered broken ribs and bruising to his chest and lips and the shock has affected his speech.

Mrs Silvester tried to help her husband but was pushed away by the thieves who shouted they wanted money for drugs. They fled with a small sum of cash and their pension books.

Mr Silvester is slowly recovering from the attack and looking forward to putting his feet up for a relaxing Christmas.

His injuries are healing but since the incident he has been left with disturbing nightmares.

Mr Silvester said: "I'm a lot better. Still on the old painkillers but apart from that I'm alright. It's fine until I think about it. I have nasty nightmares, not every night, but sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat.

"We have metal grilles up over the windows now, which has helped make us feel a lot more secure."

Mrs Silvester said: "It has put a dampener on Christmas. But we would like to thank the Oxford Mail for the article, we had a lot of people give us cards and flowers and pray for us."

Thames Valley Police are appealing for anyone who saw three men wearing dark clothes and gloves in either Magdalen Road or Stanley Road, on the evening of October 20, to come forward. Call them on 08458 505505.