A BURGLAR stole high powered air rifles during a break-in in Great Lever.

The incident happened between 9pm and 10.15pm on Tuesday, when a house on Loxham Street was broken into while the 38-year-old owner was out walking his dog. When he returned, the man found that a window at the rear of the house had been forced open.

The burglar had entered the house through the window and stolen five high powered air rifles, valued between £1,000 and £2,000.

The guns fire .177 and .22 calibre pellets and are used for hunting small animals and target sports.