A FAMILY disturbed a burglar when they returned home last night.

The front door of their home at Birk Brow Bungalows at Charltons, near Guisborough, was open, and when they entered the house at 9pm and switched on the lights, a man ran past them and escaped in the direction of Charltons.

Police described him as white, aged in his late 30s to early 40s, with spiky brown hair styled with shorter hair at the back and sides.

Officers said he was 5ft 3ins tall and of a fat built, with a round, fat face. He was wearing a black hooded top, with black tracksuit bottoms and what looked like a grey scarf around his neck.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Danny Oldroyd on 01642-302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.