SILENCE is not golden for a majorette troupe which has been left with no music to twirl their batons to after thieves stole the group's only generator.

And the 30 girls could be forced to pull out of future carnivals if nobody comes forward to help them.

Dawn Dunn, treasurer of the Great Harwood Carltonaires, said the blue and white petrol generator which powers their music system was taken from the troop's lock-up garage in St Lawrence Street, Great Harwood.

Thieves snapped off the garage's locks and made off with the £160 generator after leaving more expensive equipment such as gazebos, bottles of wine, and material used to make costumes.

The group, which used the generator for an outside performance at Accrington Carnival on June 21, is to appear at Hambleton's carnival, on the Fylde, this weekend -- but may have to cancel.

Dawn, 37, of Mount Street, Great Harwood, said: "It was heartbreaking, I don't know what I am going to say to the girls.

"They performed at the Accrington Carnival and did a brilliant job and were really looking forward to the next one in Hambleton at the weekend.

"The generator was only a small, old and battered thing, but it did the job for us. I don't understand why anyone would want to steal it.

"New generators are very expensive, second-hand ones are as well, and the group does not have that much money.

"If anybody can help us it would be greatly appreciated, even if it's just lending us one for the short-term until we can find one we can afford.

"I can be reached on 01254 883507, or the group's chair Elaine Smith can be contacted on 01254 888906."

Sergeant Neil Howarth, of Great Harwood police, said: "Last Friday, between 1pm and 3pm, two garages were broken into by thieves who used bolt croppers."

If anybody has any information about the break-ins, please contact Great Harwood police on 01254 353334, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.