AN ANTIQUE rifle donated to a Darwen hotel has been stolen.
Burglars struck at the Sunnyhurst Hotel at around 2.45am on Tuesday and grabbed the Flit Lock rifle worth about £1,500.
The firearm, which is around 200 years old, was given to hotel owner Stewart Walsh years ago by regular customer Ronald Hayes, who died of throat cancer a few weeks ago aged 58.
The rifle was mounted on the wall in the lounge.
Mr Walsh disturbed the burglars after he heard a window being smashed.
He shouted at a hooded burglar in the lounge who dived out the broken window while another was waiting outside.
Mr Walsh said: "The rifle was given to me by one of my customers who died, so it's got sentimental value."
Anyone with information should call CID on 01254 353830.
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