A TRAUMATISED Exmouth couple feared for their lives on what they described as a holiday from hell where they were attacked and robbed by machete-wielding bandits.

A TRAUMATISED Exmouth couple feared for their lives on what they described as a holiday from hell where they were attacked and robbed by machete-wielding bandits.

David and Christine Smith, of Caroline Close, abandoned what was meant to be a three week holiday at a luxury African resort to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, after just nine days following their ordeal.

The distraught pair were attacked by a group of four African men who broke into their accommodation in the early hours of the morning at a Kenyan resort called the Cove Retreat, close to Mombassa.

The couple, who were staying in a tree house, were forced out of their beds and pinned naked against a wall as the men, armed with crowbars and machetes, demanded cash and stripped the room of belongings.

Mrs Smith, 49, said: "One of them started looking at me up and down as if he had other intentions. The feeling this gave me was if I'd been violated. He might as well have raped me.

"They took cameras, binoculars, torches, mobile phones, credit cards - anything they could lay their hands on of value.

"One of them came up to my face and snatched my necklace violently. He was in a real threatening mood.

"He then spotted my wedding ring and threatened to cut off my finger if I didn't give him it.

"It wasn't just any ring. It used to be my great grandmothers which she gave us as a gift because when we got married we were really hard-up."

Mr Smith, a 45-year-old safety manager, sustained a number of injuries after being hit on the head and arm by the thugs while the drama unfolded.

The couple managed to escape from the resort later that morning. They ran to the local beach where they found a cave which they hid until daylight.

Mr and Mrs Smith have sought legal action against Somak Holidays, they booked their trip through.

"They haven't offered us sufficient compensation for our ordeal," said Mrs Smith.

"We have decided it is time we let people know what the risks are out there and these companies who are supposed to be reputable who, clearly, aren't.