Two pickpockets said to have struck throughout the North West over two months-including repeatedly in Accrington and Blackburn, are awaiting sentence.

Liverpudlians Joseph William Woolrich, and John Turner, both 45, and of Hasfield Road,are said to have pinched wallets and purses after targeting elderly victims on buses. The victims were mostly in their 70s and 80s.

The pair admitted conspiracy to steal, between February and June this year and were remanded in custody until December 23, for pre-sentence reports.