Burglars smashed their way into two primary schools overnight stealing money and computer equipment.

Police said the break-ins at St Nicholas school in Church and St Mary’s Catholic school in Clayton-le-Moors are being treated as linked.

Unknown offenders smashed a window and kicked a back door at St Nicholas’ school between 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 18 and 6am on Thursday, March 19.

They made an ‘untidy’ search of the building before stealing five laptops and a safe containing cash and documents.

Burglars also gained entry to St Mary’s school in Clayton-le-Moors between 6.30pm on March 18 and 6.15am on March 19, stealing cash and cheques.

St Mary’s school headteacher Mary Nolan said they knocked the glass out of a door and were ‘aiming’ for the school offices.

She said: “They left the rest of the school along and broke into the office to take money. The caretaker found what happened in the morning and called me.

“We are all upset as it is not nice to steal from a school.

“It has upset everybody in the school but they have not damaged the main school building. We told the children what happened but we’ve tried to keep it low key.”

Anyone with information should call Lancashire Police on 101 quoting crime reference number LC20150144 for St Nicholas school and LC20150148 for St Mary’ school.