THIEVES have escaped with a 'large quantity' of cigarettes following a raid on a Burnley convenience store.

Police said the thieves forced their way into The Spar store, Todmorden Road, in the early hours of Friday morning and escaped with Lambert and Butler and JPS cigarettes.

Officers said they disturbed the burglars during the raid and managed to recover some of the stolen items.

No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.

A police spokesman said: "Within the early hours of Friday, October 13, a burglary has occurred at The Spar Shop on Todmorden Road in Burnley.

"The offenders responsible have entered the shop by damaging the front window, whilst inside they have stolen a large quantity of Lambert and Butler and JPS cigarettes. We have disturbed the offenders preventing a greater loss to the store and have also recovered numerous packets of cigarettes.

"It is suspected that the people responsible will still have numerous cigarettes packets.

"If anyone knows any information please contact 101 or email 5512@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting crime reference number EF1711729

"Or alternatively call crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."