CAT bells are being handed out by Rawtenstall police in a bid to stop people getting pick-pocketed this Christmas.

The bells, which were donated by a local company, were being handed out at the police roadshows at Haslingden Tesco and Asda.

People are being asked to attach the cat bells to their purses so that they will be able to hear them ring if someone tries to steal the purse.

Bells are still available from Rawtenstall Police Station if people want to get their own.