MURDER detectives from Trinidad have taken over the investigation into the horrific attack on Wellington couple Peter Greene, 65, and his wife Murium, 59, at their Tobago retreat last weekend, local repoprts said today.

Mr Greene, former owner of the Blue Mantle Hotel, Mantle Street, Wellington, and his wife, a retired nurse, of St John's Close, Wellington, remain in a serious condition after they were injured in a machete attck at their Caribbean retreat at Bacolet, a town on the island of Tobago, shortly before 2pm on Saturday.

Both underwent emergency surgery for serious wounds to the face and neck after they were airlifted to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope on the island.

Mrs Green was reportedly found by a passer by after crawling into the street for help.

Now, a high-level team of investigators have gone to Tobago from nearby Trinidad after island's Ministry of National Security said the incident had been receiving urgent attention by Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Health and National Security.

The spokesman said the couple had been visiting Tobago for the past seven to ten years and owned the property at Bacolet Crescent, Tobago.

They had arrived back in Tobago for a further visit on Wednesday July 29 after Mr Greene finished a course of tablets to combat prostate cancer.

He added: "Tobago's National Security Minister Martin Joseph has already contacted the British High Commission expressing concern about the attack.

"The Ministry has reassured the British High Commission that the police are doing everything possible to track down the attackers."