£2.7m raid on ex-MP's home

The gang of four left terrified Deborah Branjum, 47, tied up against the banisters of the palatial home of Mr Bulmer and his wife Susie, members of the Bulmers cider family.

The men even left a mobile phone just out of Ms Branjum's reach during the raid and stole £1.7 million worth of paintings and £1m of antique jewellery.

The gang loaded up the Bulmer's Mercedes car with the loot before fleeing shortly after 10pm last Friday.

Ms Branjum was looking after The Pavilion in Redlynch, near Bruton, Somerset, while Mr and Mrs Bulmer were on holiday in Barbados. She was found tied up at 4pm the next day by her concerned sister who had come looking for her after not getting an answer from her mobile phone.

The thieves took 15 paintings, including the famous Endymion by 19th century English painter George Frederic Watts and Apple Blossom by early 20th century English artist Sir George Clausen.

Ms Branjum, who suffered bruising and was extremely shaken and distressed after the ordeal, was letting the Bulmers' dog, Echo, out of the house when the burglars ambushed her.

Today Mr and Mrs Bulmer spoke about their shock.

Mr Bulmer, now 73, was Conservative MP for Kidderminster from 1974 to 1983. He was MP for Wyre Forest from 1983 until the General Election of 1987 when he stepped down.

Mrs Bulmer, aged 67, said: "We were in Barbados when the police called to say that we had had the most terrible burglary."

Art collector Mr Bulmer said: "The most important thing is to catch these men."

Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have been offered high-end paintings for sale.