POLICE are warning homeowners to lock their doors and windows when lounging in the garden during the warm weather.

The sunshine alert has been made after a thief got into a house and stole goods worth £40.

The property was stolen when the opportunist thief entered a house in Maria Street, Darwen, where the occupiers had left the front door slightly open.

The intruder found a tin containing acrylic paints took it before the homeowner had even realised the house had been entered.

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley, of Darwen CID, said: "While the weather is hot and nice people go into their gardens and yards, but sometimes leave their doors and windows open.

"Then they are not in a position to see any intruders enter their property.

"We want to ask people to be aware of this and they should remember that they should always lock the doors and windows."