A BRAMHOPE family is still recovering from the trauma of being threatened by a masked armed gang.

The attack happened at 8.30pm on Tuesday when a family visiting the Singhs, on Leeds Road, was preparing to leave in a BMW car.

As the car started to move away from the house, known as Golden Lodge, a black Subaru Impreza pulled up and blocked the drive. Two men got out, walked to the BMW and one pointed what is believed to have been a black handgun into the car, but didn't say anything.

A third man then climbed out armed with a bar or baseball bat. All three were wearing white ski masks with eye-holes cut out.

But the gang was disturbed when other family members came out of the house. The suspects fired a warning shot into the air before jumping back into the Subaru and escaping empty handed.

West Yorkshire Police now believe the same gang could have struck at another home, in Alwoodley, less than half an hour later.

A police spokesman said: "The Subaru, registration number M978 KON, was reported stolen from the Bradford Moor area on February 22. It was found burnt out in Lane End Croft, in Alwoodley, at around 9pm. Police are considering the possibility that this incident in Bramhope is linked to an aggravated burglary in Alwoodley at 8.58pm.

"On that occasion three masked men entered the property armed with what is believed to be a handgun. They made demands and left the house with car keys and a mobile phone in a Silver Peugeot 206, registration number X203 GKJ. It had been reported stolen from the Headingley area on February 24.

"No one was injured as a result of either incident."

Bramhope Parish and ward Councillor Clive Fox (Con, Adel and Wharfedale) said Golden Lodge, a distinctive dwelling with Sikh symbols on its gates and fence, seemed to be surrounded by "just about every police car in West Yorkshire" on Tuesday night.

Parish Council Chairman Councillor Colin Robertson, meanwhile, passed the crime scene just before 10pm. He said: "The road was full of marked and unmarked police cars on both sides of the road, and the property was sealed with 'Police line -- do not cross tape'."

Shocked neighbours watched a search helicopter hover above their homes for some time after the incident.

The Singh family, when contacted by the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer yesterday, said they were still too traumatised to talk about what had happened.

Anyone with information on either incident can contact Weetwood Police on 0113 241 3459 or the confidential Crimestoppers number, 0800 555 111.