NEIGHBOURS joined forces to help catch a young man who burgled the home of a 91-year-old World War II fighter pilot.

A nearby resident spotted Saqib Ahmad and another man standing by a smashed window after hearing the sound of breaking glass at the victim's address.

She got help from two others who went looking for the pair and managed to take hold of a bag containing stolen items.

Householder Fred Green had left his property in Wilpshire near Blackburn, secure prior to the burglary on November 13 last year.

Ahmad, 22, of Haston Lee Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary.

He was given a community order of 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work, with an order to pay £245 prosecution costs.

Mr Richard Orme, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said both men denied any wrong doing when challenged outside the house before running off.

But one of the witnesses managed to take hold of the defendant's bag which contained items belonging to Mr Green.

Police enquiries led to a search warrant being executed at Ahmad's home.

He told police that he had had no money and was trying to steal something he could go on to sell.

Several items of paper work had been taken and two pieces of dress jewellery, of minor value. About £100-worth of damage had been caused to a window.

Mr Richard Bennett, defending, said "He had no knowledge of the householder's age or his past.

"This was not a planned attack on an elderly victim, but a random offence as it were.

"It was committed out of a some desperation on the part of the defendant.

"He is thoroughly ashamed and has suggested he will not be in trouble again."