THREE burglars were foiled when they tried to launch a late-night raid on a pub.

In the latest in a string of recent attacks on East Lancashire pubs, a gang broke into the Old Mother Redcap, Blackburn Road, Knuzden, early yesterday morning.

But when the landlady, who was sleeping in the building, raised the alarm, the gang fled empty-handed.

A police spokesman said a 999 call had been received at 3.20am.

The force helicopter was scrambled for the search and soon afterwards three men, one aged 27 and two 17-year-olds, were arrested after being found hiding nearby, he said.

They were taken for questioning and later released on bail.

An onlooker said: “I saw a number of police vehicles travelling along Accrington Road at high speed and then pulling on to the Red Cap car park.

“I saw two officers looking around the building, then enter the premises.

“Other police vehicles were seen driving around the Windsor road and surrounding roads, obviously looking for someone”.

Staff at the pub did not want to comment.