Police have arrested and charged a number of people in relation to a spate of burglaries at town centre businesses.

On Wednesday, officers in Hyndburn confirmed they had arrested three people - including a 40-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman- in connection with more than 17 burglaries.

One of the suspects arrested is believed to be linked to the recent burglary at the Crafty Fox bar in Abbey Street in Accrington.

The Crafty Fox was broken into and trashed in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving the devastated owners with thousands of pounds worth of damage, before the assailants returned later that evening and stole their car.

A spokesperson for the police said on Wednesday: "Following a spate of commercial burglaries in Hyndburn town centre being investigated by the Neighbourhood Policing Team, police have arrested and charged three people with the offences.

"A 40-year-old male of no fixed abode has been charged with 17 burglaries on town centre premises over the last six weeks.

"A second male was charged with one offence.

"Both were remanded to Blackburn Magistrates Court this morning.

"A 35-year-old female of no fixed abode was also arrested, charged and remanded to court last week in relation to five of the offences.

"Updates will be provided following court hearings."

The Crafty Fox only opened three weeks ago, and when Mr Fox, who used to run The Attic nightclub on Warner Street, arrived at the premise after being called by the police around 5am, found extensive damage to the establishment's roof and ceilings.

He said: "They trashed the place. They kicked through the ceiling, caused damage to the roof, I'm devastated.

"We have a new extension at the back and they broke the roof on that and took the slate roof off to try and get in and then kicked a massive hole in the ceiling.

"They've then come downstairs and got the till, but they couldn't get out, so they tried to smash the back door in.

"Then they went back upstairs and smashed the window at the front.

"The police were there in minutes but just missed them."

Mr Fox said CCTV from the bar - which was very upsetting to watch - showed the culprits quite clearly, with police now fully investigating the break-in.

Anyone with information about the break-in, or the car theft is asked to contact the police on 101 quoting log number 0319 of October 10.