THE friend of owners of a Chinese takeaway foiled burglars when she screamed after seeing a man in the property in broad daylight.

The burglar broke into Yu Hing, Kimberley Street, Coppull, at 1pm on Sunday, November 3.

The man was going through bedroom drawers when a friend of the owner screamed and fell to the floor. The man, believed to be with an accomplice, ran off empty handed.

Police described it as a blessing that the intruder did not physically assault the occupant.

The restaurant is owned by husband and wife team Sandy and Wenxing Yeung. Sandy said: "I was out at the time and my friend was in on her own.

"She heard heavy footsteps running upstairs and then she saw a man and screamed. She was very scared.

"She could not see him clearly as she normally wears glasses but did not have them on.

"I think he was trying to open the drawers in my bedroom."

The intruder used a two-foot iron bar to force the UPVC rear door, causing extensive damage to the door frame.

Witnesses in the surrounding streets saw two men running away from the building. One of them is described as white, 30 years old, six foot tall and of a large build. He had a goatee beard and was wearing a grey jumper, a grey woollen hat and black pants.

DC Gareth Stockley, of Chorley CID, said: "It is a blessing they have not had a go at the occupant and have run off when they have been confronted.

"It was in broad daylight. Whether they thought the building was empty or not we don't know."

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to contact Chorley Police on 01257 269021.