THIEVES broke into a Darlington pub yesterday and stole cash and spirits.

Intruders entered The Slaters Arms, on Bondgate, through the cellar hatch, between 2.30am and 3am.

They took cash from the games machine and bottles of alcohol from behind the bar.

Landlady Della Halliday, 58, who lives upstairs in the pub, heard noises in the bar.

But she said the thieves had disappeared by the time she went downstairs.

"This is the first time anything like this has happened in my three years here. It is a bit of a shock. I will talk to the brewery about improving the security," she said.

Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to call police on 0845 60 60 365.