A WOMAN described in court as a "career shoplifter" was caught stealing cosmetics worth £75 from Superdrug in Accrington.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Audrey Thomas had a total of 219 previous offences on her record, 113 of them for theft.

But the court was told that despite the latest offence and the fact that she was already on bail to Rossendale magistrates for another theft offence, things were improving for Thomas.

Simon Harrison, defending, said she was now on a full-time catering course at Accrington and Rossendale College, had stopped using heroin, was on a methadone reduction programme and had resumed contact with her children.

Thomas, 36, of Brown Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to theft and the case was remitted to Rossendale magistrates on February 6.

Mr Harrison said Thomas had managed to get her life back on track and while things were not easy there was hope for the future. He said Thomas had received 75 custodial sentences over the years totalling nearly seven years.

The case before Rossendale magistrates has been adjourned to assess Thomas for a drug treatment and testing order.