A BLOWTORCH was used by burglars to try to break into a house while the occupants were sleeping.

The incident is similar to a burglary already being investigated by police, who believe the two burglaries may be linked.

Officers were called to an address in Cragside, Sedgefield, on Tuesday at around 2.25am.

It is believed that three men, all wearing dark clothing attempted to gain entry to the property using a blowtorch.

A Durham police spokesperson said: "The victims woke when they heard a loud bang and made their way downstairs where they found the men trying to make an escape."

She added: "The suspects appear to have been interrupted before they were able to take any property."

Between 2.45am and 3.15am on the same morning, three men are believed to have used a blowtorch to break the front door lock of a property in Lockyer Close in Newton Aycliffe.

Once inside, they made an untidy search of the empty house before making off on foot.

Anyone with information about the Sedgefield incident is asked to call PC David Brawn on 101 quoting reference number 26 of June 26.

Anyone with information about the Newton Aycliffe incident should contact Durham Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-11.