PENSIONER Peggy Plows was amazed when she returned home to find someone had dug up and stolen flagstones from the side of her house.

She said: "I couldn't believe it, I was completely taken aback.''

Mrs Plows has lived in the same house in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, for 46 years and has never experienced anything like it before.

A neighbour told her that within minutes of her leaving home at about 1pm on Monday a red Ford Sierra estate car pulled up.

Two men got out, dug up six paving stones from alongside the gable end of her property, loaded up and drove off.

Mrs Plows said: "My neighbour thought they were doing work for me. But what they have done is to steal the flags, which I am told are quite valuable, and damaged the drains. I honestly can't believe it. It has left me shaken.''

Anyone with further information about the car or the thieves is asked to contact police at Rawtenstall, on 01706-215242.

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