BURGLARS made off with more than £6,500 of goods from a house, making their getaway in the owner's van.

Thieves struck at a home in Park Drive, Langley Park, near Durham, on Friday night, while the family was out. They forced open a kitchen window, then ransacked each room.

They loaded the items into the occupant's red Leyland van and made their getaway. Police found the vehicle abandoned near Ushaw Moor.

Property stolen included three video recorders, two stereos, three televisions, a PlayStation, a PC, a Nokia mobile phone and motorcycle boots, helmets and leathers.