A GANG claiming to be Spanish tourists distracted two shopkeepers to burgle their homes.

The men and women claimed they could not speak English when they posed as customers at convenience stores in Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever, and St Helens Road, Daubhill.

While staff were helping them to buy groceries, a gang member sneaked into the living quarters at the back of the shops, and stole cash and jewellery worth thousands of pounds.

Police believe the thefts were carried out by the same group and are warning other shopkeepers to be on the lookout.

The gang entered the store in Lever Edge Lane at about 2pm on Thursday and asked owner Vasudev Patel for help. Mr Patel and his staff helped the group buy goods, including nappies and baby food worth £100.

The shopkeeper did not notice that a woman had sneaked behind the counter and through a door leading into his home.

She stole £2,000 and jewellery worth £3,000, including the wedding ring of Mr Patel's fiancee, before coming back into the shop.

Mr Patel said: "I went into the back of the shop afterwards to get some change and the ring was gone.

"It was only then that I realised what had happened. I looked at the footage from the security camera and saw how they did it.

"We didn't see a thing because we were too busy serving all these customers."

Three hours later the group targeted a store in St Helens Road and again distracted the staff while one of them went into the living quarters. Cash and jewellery were also stolen.

Sgt Bill Crittenden, of Bolton Police, said: "I would advise shopkeepers to be vigilant when large groups come into their stores, and make sure the back premises are secure."

Police are studying CCTV footage for clues to the identities of the gang members.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting Crime reference 273705C/03.