A BURGLAR targeted more than 100 old people after using the motorway to travel across Lancashire before being trapped by a single bead of sweat.

The tiny piece of DNA evidence led police to uncover a one-man spree, during which Simon Paul Moran used the M65 as his corridor of crime.

He was eventually arrested after being confronted by an 83-year-old woman during a burglary in Darwen.

The "huge" list of offences included crimes in Blackburn, Darwen, Rishton, Accrington, Clitheroe, Whalley, Read, Padiham, Burnley, Haslingden, Colne, Ramsbottom, Brierfield, Nelson, Barrowford, Earby, Barnoldswick, Chorley, Euxton, Adlington, Withnell, Brinscall, Coppull and Leyland.

Moran identified his targets by locating grab rails placed outside the homes of infirm or elderly people. He used skills acquired when he worked for a uPVC door and window manufacturing company to disable the door lock and gain entry.

Police were able to link him to another eight unsolved burglaries and Moran then took them on a tour of Lancashire and pointed out other homes he had burgled during an 18-month period.

Moran, 38, of Nevis Grove, Astley Bridge, Bolton, pleaded guilty to six charges of burglary at addresses in Darwen, Whalley, Padiham, Rossendale, and two in Chorley and asked for another 96 offences to be taken into consideration.

He was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court for sentence after the magistrates said he faced a sentence way beyond the powers of the magistrates.

Speaking after the hearing Acting Det Sgt Chris McCreadie said that in 18 years in the police he had never come across such a prolific offender.

He said: "He has come over the moors from Bolton and then used the M65 motorway to move around the county.

"Despite the number of offences he was never disturbed until the incident in Darwen.

"We managed to get a DNA sample from sweat he had wiped from his face with his gloved hand and then transferred to a plastic bag."

Neil White, prosecuting, said Moran had enjoyed "an incredible run" in avoiding detection.

"All these offences were night time burglaries when the occupants were in and only once, the incident in Darwen in July, was anyone disturbed," said Mr White.

"Once inside he took cash and jewellery and porcelain, especially Beswick and Royal Doulton," said Mr White.

He said Moran had 10 previous convictions for burglary, the last in 1995. "His career as a dwelling house burglar spans 21 years."

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said five years ago Moran's girlfriend had been killed in a car accident and he had started taking crack cocaine.

"As often happens he was allowed more than he was paying for and eventually built up a debt of £10,000," said Mr Church-Taylor.

"After several unpleasant incidents he began to burgle to pay off the debt."