THIEVES escaped with around 20 laptops from a Pendle school.

The computers, worth up to £10,000, have been taken from Salterforth Primary School, in Cross Street, over the weekend.

And another attempted break-in was foiled at the nearby Earby Springfield Primary School, although significant damage has been caused to a window frame, over the past few days.

Just last week two other burglaries left Park High School in Colne devastated. Only one break-in was successful but computer equipment worth £10,000 was taken.

Two other raids, one earlier this year and the other during the last school summer holidays, saw thieves flee with IT equipment valued at £4,000.

Nearby Primet High School in Colne was also left reeling following the theft of computers worth £40,000 and Fisher More RC High has also been targeted, suffering similar losses totalling £14,500, through a series of break-ins.

Speaking about the latest incident at Salteforth, Pc Mark Blackey, of Pendle police, said: “The burglary has taken place between last thing on Friday and was discovered first thing on Monday morning."

A Salterforth Primary spokesman said: “There were lessons planned for today based around the laptops which have had to be cancelled. They were our only ICT equipment.”

An appeal for witnesses has been made for either the Salterforth or Earby raids, with witnesses asked to call police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.