TEENAGE friends who targeted two town centre venues have been warned to "get their act together" and "man up" if they are to avoid jail in the future.

The Bolton boys, aged 16 and 17, admitted burgling The Bar and attempting to burgle the Spinning Mule pub with intent to steal earlier this month.

They targeted the premises, in Nelson Square in central Bolton, on October 20 and were sentenced at Bolton Youth Court yesterday.

Their crimes were part of a spate of town centre break-ins committed by various people that has forced neighbourhood police officers to put on extra patrols to deal with the nuisance.

The 16-year-old was told by chairman of the bench Joan Cooper: "You're almost a man now.

"It's time to wake up and taste the coffee.

"You've seen prison on television. If you don't get your act together, that's where you're going."

He was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order with supervision and activity requirements.

The youth has to abide by a three-month curfew between 9pm and 7am that will be electronically monitored.

He is not allowed to associate with his co-defendant and two other individuals and was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

The 17-year-old co-defendant admitted a further two offences of receiving stolen goods - namely £100 cash and a stereo fascia and a sat nav holder on October 29.

He was given an 18-month youth rehabilitation order with supervision and must pay the same victim surcharge.

The 17-year-old will be subject to a three-month electronically-monitored curfew which for the first month will be 7pm to 7am, the second month 8pm to 7am and the third month 9pm to 7am.

Mrs Cooper told him: "Hopefully we can put you on the road to getting better — but it has to come from you.

"You're on the verge of turning into a man. It's time to 'man up'."

Another 16-year-old who admitted taking part in The Bar burglary and the Spinning Mule attempted burglary had his case adjourned until Wednesday when he will also be sentenced for burgling Smokers Exit in Knowsley Street in Bolton town centre.

Inspector Dave Henthorne, of Bolton South and Central Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Bolton town centre has suffered a significant number of commercial burglaries over the past few months which is the last thing that businesses need in the run up to Christmas.

"My staff will continue to work with the business community and to put the offenders before the courts."