A DRUNKEN man couldn't believe his luck when he passed a town centre store at night - and found the doors unlocked, a court heard.

And James Caine decided to start his Christmas shopping early at the TJ Hughes shop, in Blackburn.

But he didn't realise he was captured on CCTV, which clearly showed him leaving carrying a microwave oven, the town's magistrates were told.

Caine, 30, of Bramwell House, Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to the burglary this month, as well as a raid on Longshaw Junior School in November.

He was ordered to do 75 hours community punishment, made subject to a 12-month community rehabilitation order and told to pay £100 compensation, with £65 costs.

Basharat Ditta, defending, said both offences had been committed after Caine had been drinking.

"The circumstances of the TJ Hughes offence are quite bizarre," said Mr Ditta. "He couldn't believe his luck."

A spokesman for TJ Hughes was unavailable for comment.