DETECTIVES are hunting thieves with an eye for style . . .

The police search was mounted after raiders grabbed designer glasses, worth £1,500, from a Bolton town centre opticians.

The thieves grabbed the glasses after posing as customers in the Market Street store on Monday between 1pm and 5.15pm.

They made off with five Calvin Klein frames, four Armani frames, four Dolce Gabbana frames and two Versace designs after distracting the shop assistants.

Opticians and the owners of second hand stores have been warned about the theft.

Sgt Bill Crittenden, of the Bolton Police Crime Management Unit, said the thieves will probably attempt to get lenses fitted to the frames at an opticians or sell them on.

The store manager said: "It is quite unusual for so many frames to be stolen all at once -- it was obviously quite well planned.

"Most opticians will not fit lenses to frames without seeing a receipt for the frames so it should be difficult for whoever receives them."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bolton CID on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111 quoting crime ref number 48617J/01.