DALTON residents are being warned to keep doors and windows locked following the latest in a series of burglaries in the town since October.

Police are now appealing for information on a burglary in which an offender stole a car after taking the keys and a purse from a home in Union Street.

The incident happened sometime between 8.15am and 10.30am on Friday, February 16, while several occupants of the house were asleep upstairs.

The offender is thought to have entered the house through an unlocked front door, before taking the items from the kitchen.

They then made off in a distinctive silver Peugeot 106 Quicksilver, registration number S310 0FV, which was also parked in Union Street.

Cumbria Police are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, which occurred during daylight hours, including pupils who may have been on their way to the nearby Dowdale School, in Dalton, to come forward.

The burglary is the third of its kind in the town since mid October last year to involve the theft of keys to a parked car.

Other incidents have also taken place in Skelgate, Eskdale Drive and High Bank.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Craig Wakefield, at Barrow CID, or any other officer in confidence, by calling 0845 33 00 247.