CHAIN stores in Burnley's Charter Walk shopping centre were left counting the cost after vandals caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Plate-glass windows at four outlets were smashed during a wrecking spree on Tuesday night.

The damage is thought to have happened within a short period of time and followed a clear route from St James Street along Fleet Walk.

Initially a large window at the Woolworth's store on St James Street was attacked, with what appeared to be a blunt instrument, before another pane was damaged inside the shopping centre complex.

Two further windows were damaged at the Boots store, just yards away and a display window at the nearby River Island branch was also hit.

The final store to be targeted was Vodafone, where another display window was smashed. Police yesterday visited each of the premises to take statements about the incidents from staff.

Last month town centre police launched a security operation, with shopping centre management, in a bid to ward off gangs of youths who have previously caused anti-social behaviour within Charter Walk.

Youths have previously wreaked havoc in the centre over the festive period and shopkeepers have been urged not to sell eggs or silly string to teenagers, to avoid unruly incidents.

But the Wednesday night rampage is not thought to have been linked to any organised display of violence.

Sgt Dave Clark, of Burnley police, said: "There have been a number of windows damaged in the town centre over night. Hopefully this was a one-off incident and will not be repeated in future.

"It was not a breach of security but appears to have involved properties which have been targeted on someone's route home."

Police have confirmed that two teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and were due to be questioned last night.