A PUB landlady is warning Chorley's business community to beware of gangs of travellers after more than £6,000 in jewellery and cash was taken from her premises.

A gang of eight men and women swooped on The Alma pub, Moor Road, Chorley, in an organised operation which involved an eight-month pregnant barmaid and local drinkers being distracted while keys to a safe were taken and its contents stolen.

Now police are linking the raid to an incident at a newsagent's in Gilbert Street where £1,300 was taken last month and a raid in Preston where £20,000 was stolen from a business.

The gang struck the pub on April 8 and completed their raid in about 20 minutes. Landlady Lynn Thompson, 46, moved into the Alma just four weeks ago, andl ost £4,000 cash and more than £1,500 worth of jewellery - some of which had belonged to her mother who died last year.

Lynn's pregnant daughter Louise Mather, 20, who was working behind the bar, said that the gang spoke in broken English, and were "gypsy-looking" with dark skin and jet black hair.

Lynn said: "I was upstairs asleep and Louise came in, purple in the face looking really distressed and said that there was a gang upsetting her. When I went down they must have gone upstairs to the safe via the rear fire escape."

"I advise any other business to pick-up the phone and ring the police. It is just about being aware."