A LITTLE girl is too frightened to sleep in her own bed because heartless criminals burgled her home as she visited her critically ill grandfather in hospital.

The eight-year-old youngster was so upset she needed professional counselling.

David Gibbons, his wife Karen and daughter Danielle were at the bedside of 74-year-old Kenneth Gibbons at Chorley Hospital when the sick raiders struck.

They stole electrical goods worth hundreds of pounds from their home on Hodder Avenue, Chorley.

Kenneth Gibbons, of Byron Crescent, Coppull, had just been severely injured in a horrific road accident.

He tripped over a tow rope between two cars on Lyons Lane, Chorley, as they were setting off at the George Street roundabout.

He was run over by the car being towed and had to be freed by two passers-by.

His son David -- at times almost too upset to speak -- told The Citizen: "We were shopping in Manchester. I got a phone call to go to the hospital, so we made our way back.

"Later at the hospital I said I'll have to go home and turn the lights on because we had been out all day."

As the family walked into their house, little Danielle discovered their second blow.

Thieves had raided the lounge, taking the family's new 32" television and DVD player and other items, including a camcorder.

David said: "They are scumbags -- I'm just sick. This is the second time we've been burgled in less than 12 months.

"My daughter is only eight. She is devastated. She said 'why are they doing this to me, daddy?'.

"She stayed at her nan's in Coppull and said she doesn't want to come home. We have had to have a counsellor come to see my daughter.

"If anybody knows of anything let the police know. I don't want these people to get away with it."

Detective sergeant Mick Dagger of Chorley Police said society no longer tolerates house burglaries. "If anybody has any information they should contact the police at Chorley or ring Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) if they want to remain anonymous," he said.

The Chorley Citizen backs Mr Gibbons' call to stand up against criminals. We believe the people of Chorley are saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

We urge anyone with information to get in touch with Chorley Police on 01257 269021.