DETECTIVES say a series of home burglaries are the work of one gang.

The Sunnyhurst area of Darwen and nearby Tockholes were hit four times overnight on Monday.

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley, of Darwen CID, also appealed for residents of those areas to be vigilant and said they had got descriptions of three men following a failed burglary in Lyndhurst Road.

The houseowner realised he was being distracted by two men as another sneaked into his home. The would-be burglars fled and the man called the police.

The other raids involved screwdrivers being used to prise open windows. In Sunnyhurst Close, a burglar was disturbed after entering a house, while a substantial amount of property, including Nokia mobile phone, a black jacket and credit cards, were taken from a home in Earnsdale Road.

A burglary was foiled in Weasel Lane, Tockholes, when the houseowner was disturbed.

One of the men was white, about 5ft10in, of slim build, around 27 years old and wearing a black waist-length jacket and pale-coloured trousers. DS Critchley said: "We are looking into these break-ins being linked, in view of the majority involving the window being taken out.

"We are looking for witnesses who can help us catch these burglars." Anyone with information should call Darwen CID on 01254 353842.