POLICE have warned pensioners in a Hyndburn town to keep their homes locked after two thefts from elderly people.

In one incident, the burglar only left when he realised he had woken the woman, who was in her 80s, from her afternoon nap in a chair.

It is not yet known what was taken from her house, in Harwood Lane, Great Harwood, on Monday afternoon.

But police have released details of what was stolen from another house, in Haydock Square.

Again, the thief entered through an unlocked door and stole a substantial amount of cash before leaving.

The elderly resident, also in her 80s, was not in the house at the time.

DC Brian Higginson, from Great Harwood CID, said: "We can prevent these thefts from happening only if elderly residents heed our advice and keep their homes locked at all times.

"By leaving doors unlocked you are effectively inviting the thief in."

He added: "Old people had a tendency to keep cash in their homes.

"We would urge them not to do that."