POLICE are hunting for a man who smashed a town centre shop window and stole boxes of toffee.

The man kicked the display window of Thorntons, in Northgate, Darlington, and scooped out three boxes of toffees and a children's lollipop pack from inside.

A bus driver spotted the vandalism at about 6.30pm on Sunday and called police.

The man left on a bicycle and was tracked by security cameras, but he escaped.

Sandra Deans, manager of the shop, said: "About £20 of stock was stolen. It was the stock which had been in the window and under the lights, so we wouldn't have sold it to anyone and, hopefully, it tastes bad.

"It is not the money, it is the inconvenience. We are glad the bus driver spotted him when he did, and the man did not get into the shop. The bus driver came in yesterday and we thanked him and gave him a box of chocolates."

Anyone with information can call (01325) 467681 extension 2134.