A WALTHAMSTOW pensioner was gagged and held at gunpoint in his home by two violent men who posed as buyers for his car.

The 72-year-old, who is too scared to be named, suffered cuts and bruises to his arms after the men fought their way into his home and stole his house and car keys.

Det Sgt Neil Casey of the borough's robbery unit said: "This was a cowardly, senseless and violent attack on a defenceless elderly member of our community that will not be tolerated."

The robbery happened when the man was at home and heard a scratching noise at his letterbox.

He went to open the front door and the two men forced their way inside. They bound his mouth and arms with tape, and one of them pointed a black pistol at him and demanded to be given the house and car keys.

Both men were described as black and aged around 28. One was 5ft 10ins tall, spoke with a London accent and wore a black jacket with a black fleece scarf pulled around his face and a black hat. The other was around 5ft 7ins and wore dark clothing and a black balaclava.

The attackers did not steal the car, but made off on foot towards the High Street area of Walthamstow.

A police spokeswoman said the men were believed to have been at the pensioner's house at around 7pm on the night before the robbery, and asked if he wanted to sell his car.

DS Casey, appealed for witnesses at around 11.45am on Thursday, February 10, and said: "Any information given will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Call him direct on 8345 2431 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.