DETECTIVES are touring Bolton antique shops on the trail of thieves who plundered a retired couple's moorland home.

The gang of escaped with a large haul of family heirlooms, worth more than £3,000, in the break-in last weekend at the bungalow in Eccleston, near Chorley.

The couple discovered the burglary when they returned from holiday last weekend.

Detectives believe the antiques may have been stolen to order and are scouring Bolton antique shops and fairs in a search for the stolen property.

The thieves smashed their way into the remote home through a rear kitchen window.

They searched nearly every drawer and cupboard in the house - and even emptied the fridge.

The burglars stole valuable antiques but left all the electrical equipment. They even stole photographs of the antiques from albums to make it hard for the police to trace them.

The haul includes: a limited edition bronze shire horse on a smooth slate plinth; a bronze of a spaniel dog running with a hat in its mouth; a miniature stool in walnut with a seated Victorian doll; an oil painting of a cottage scene with two farmers, several horses in a lane and a peasant woman; an Edwardian wall clock in walnut, a barometer in a dark wood surround and two spinning wheels.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of any of the property or can help police is asked to contact Chorley CID, tel 01257 269021.

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