THIEVES fled empty-handed after failing to force their way into garages in two villages.

They attempted to break into garages in Mickleton and Eggleston, near Barnard Castle, on different days, but were foiled by the locks.

Acting Insp Bill Dutton said: "Before these two attempts, we had a spate of burglaries from garages and sheds that had not been properly secured.

"It is heartening to see that good locks can deter thieves. In these two cases, thieves caused some damage to the locks, but did not manage to steal anything."

He repeated an appeal he made to householders last week to fit locks to all garages and garden sheds to stop thieves.

There had been ten cases of lawn mowers, strimmers and other tools and gardening equipment being taken from insecure buildings in the area.