DETECTIVES have launched a manhunt after two men burst into the home of a young mother and threatened to harm her newborn baby.

The men forced their way into the Westbury home of a 20-year-old woman on Thursday, making threats to harm her seven-week-old child if they failed to find her boyfriend Craig Dyer, who was the victim of an alleged kidnapping in Trowbridge two weeks ago.

Police have now taken steps to protect his girlfriend and baby after the two men, who are both in their 20s, made threats to their safety.

The two men pulled up outside the woman's Saxon Close flat in a rusty old-style blue Ford Fiesta about 10am on Thursday morning. Forcing their way inside, they searched the property and threatened to hurt the baby, who was not in the flat at the time.

Det Sgt Dave Martin said he was appalled at the incident and appealed for help in tracing the two suspects.

"I am used to dealing with offences of violence, but how someone can sink so low as to threaten to harm a helpless infant in order to get at the father is beyond me," he said.

"As a parent myself I can think of nothing more despicable and I hope that anyone who knows anything about this will think the same and will not hesitate to contact us."

Police are continuing their search for the men involved. One suspect is described as white, 6ft, stocky, in his late 20s to early 30s, clean-shaven with short, cropped light brown hair and a local accent. He was wearing a long-sleeved navy blue Reebok top, black jeans and white trainers.

The other man is described 5ft 8ins, skinny, in his late 20s, clean-shaven and also with a local accent. He was wearing a black baseball cap, white T-shirt, pale blue jeans and white trainers.

Police have asked for the public's help to find the rusty old blue Ford Fiesta driven by the men.

A 31-year-old Trowbridge man was arrested on Monday on suspicion of being involved with the two men police are hunting, but has since been released on police bail.

Mr Dyer was allegedly assaulted and kidnapped from a flat in Francis Street, Trowbridge, suffering injuries to his head, face and hands.

l Two men were remanded in custody after appearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday to face charges of kidnap and causing grievous bodily harm.

Colin Cooke, 31, and Paul Rowlands, 47, are both accused of kidnapping Craig Dyer from a flat in Francis Street on February 26.

A third man arrested in connection with the kidnapping 31-year-old Paul Mills remains on police bail while investigations continue.

No pleas were entered, with the next hearing set for April 26.