A PUB landlady was the victim of a possible distraction burglary, police said.

Thieves targeted the Cavendish Arms in Brindle early yesterday and stole a substantial amount of cash thought to be in the “thousands”.

Officers said the landlady was distracted by a man who knocked on the pub door seeking permission to park a skip on the car park.

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When she was asked to go outside, police said it is thought a second person sneaked into an office in the pub to steal the cash.

Police are now urging the man who was asking about the skip to get in contact with them.

He is described as white, of stocky build, around 5ft 10in tall and in his early 30s. He was wearing a denim jacket, jeans and pale blue pumps.

He may have spoken with a foreign accent.

PC Jay Percy, of Chorley Police, said: “It is not known whether the man inquiring about the skip is connected to this burglary and so we need him to come forward so we can eliminate him from our investigation.

“Similarly, if anyone recognises the man’s description or has any information about this incident, I urge them to come forward and speak to us.”

Nearby resident George Hodkinson, of Brindle Heights, said he was shocked when he heard about the burglary.

He said: “I have lived here for three years and I have never heard of an incident like that.

“You do not get this sort of thing happening here very often.

“It is a quiet, beautiful area and a burglary is unthinkable.

“We heard that there were police cars by the pub but never thought any more of it.

“It well could have been an opportunist taking advantage, seeing an isolated pub on a quiet road, and just thinking it was worth trying.”

Cllr David Dickinson (Brindle & Hoghton) said: “The Cavendish Arms is a super pub and an integral part of the community and this will have a massive impact on the area. I am absolutely shocked at what has happened.

“I hope the police, as they usually do, make people aware of the dangers they need to look out for.

“I hope the people involved in this are caught as quickly as possible.

“Residents will need to be careful about who comes and goes in the town.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.