A FATHER today claimed he had been forced out of his home after it was broken into for the second time in three weeks.

Martin Callaghan, of Radford Street, Darwen, said he is disgusted after replacements for his son Ryan's Christmas presents were taken by the thieves during the raid overnight between Thursday to Friday.

The original presents were taken during a burglary about three weeks ago.

Now he plans to put his house up for sale and move out of the area.

"It's disheartening and I've had enough," he said.

"I have lived here for 13 years and it has never been this bad."

He said Ryan had broken a bone in his leg and was confined to the house, so his computer game machines were one of his few pleasures at the moment.

"I have a 10 year-old lad who is crying because someone has stolen his toys again," he said.

Martin, 38, said he was first broken into three weeks ago by a sneak-in burglar, who looted his living room while he was working upstairs installing a new bath.

Ryan's Playstation Two, Playstation One, and games were stolen, along with jewellery.

Martin said he spent hundreds of pounds fitting a CCTV system in his house after that break-in, only to be burgled again. I went to bed and when I got up the back door was open.

"I didn't expect to be broken into again.

"The back door had a glass panel, which was smashed.

"Now I have replaced the door with a solid one.

"But I can't keep spending money on security.

"Now I will definitely put my house up for sale and move."

A Nintendo Game Cube with games, a DVD player with 50 films, and some tools from a shed were stolen.

Detectives in Darwen are investigating the burglaries.

They said someone maybe breaking into Martin's home who was aware of his movements.

They have appealed for anyone with information to contact them by ringing 01254 353842 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.