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Batman-crazy brothers Danny Scattergood and Lee Watson would love their hero to catch the Joker who stole their Bat-toys.

Thieves broke into their parents' home in Laurel Avenue, Darwen, just a week after Danny's seventh birthday, and stole their prized collection of Batman memorabilia.

Their mum Andrea said: "The boys are both devastated. Over the years they had got together an impressive collection of Batman toys and the thieves took the lot." Mrs Watson is now offering to buy the collection back from anybody who may have bought them, unaware they were stolen.

She said: "The toys aren't worth a lot second hand but they mean the world to my sons. I would be willing to pay whoever has got them now the price they paid for them."

The thieves struck in broad daylight and took dozens of toys including 20 figures, a Batman spaceship, a remote control Batmobile and various other items.

Andrea added: "The thieves virtually emptied the house but we are more concerned about the collection. The spaceship was Danny's birthday present and both of them can't believe they have nothing left. It's going to cost a fortune to replace everything."

Anybody who can help should ring Mrs Watson on 776637.

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