GIVE yourself up before we come and get you is the festive-time message going out to local criminals in the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale areas.

Police are urging offenders who have failed to appear in court or who have a warrant out for their arrest to give themselves up before Christmas and to start the New Year with a clean slate.

The alternative is to risk being caught by police and spending either Christmas or New Year in police cells.

Burnley police inspector John Clucas said: "There are a number of people being actively sought by officers either for outstanding offences or after failing to appear in court.

"Given the time of year we are appealing for them to come forward and clear their conscience."

He added: "In return we will ensure their case is dealt with as quickly as possible and that the courts are aware they have come forward and given themselves up."

When a similar plea was made in the Pennine police division two years ago a number of offenders came forward.

Insp Clucas added: "There might be someone out there who hasn't committed a particularly serious crime but one which is weighing down on their conscience or someone might simply be fed up of evading he police and waiting for that inevitable knock on their front door.

"Whatever they have done we want them to have the sense to come forward before we catch up with them.

He said police remained as keen as ever for the local community to remain vigilant and if they were in a position to do so to help "wrap up" a criminal this Christmas.

Anyone with information about any crime is asked to call police on 01282 425001 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Anyone who thinks they are wanted for an offence or who has a warrant out against them should attend Burnley, Pendle or Rossendale police offices in person on a weekday morning so that they can be tied into an early court appearance if that is necessary.