THREE men have been remanded in custody after being accused of involvement in a string of burglaries in Widnes and Runcorn stealing items worth a quarter of a million.

Liam Carter, aged 22, from Runcorn, Jason Edge, aged 18, from Runcorn and Luke Moores, aged 26, of Irwell Street, Widnes have all been charged with conspiracy to burgle after being arrested during a series of dawn raids.

Sean Meadows, aged 24, from Runcorn and Liam Lingham, aged 18, from Runcorn have also been arrested and charged as part of police operation Attar.

Halton Magistrates heard on Wednesday one woman managed to get her stolen electrical items back after putting an appeal on Facebook while another man was burgled twice.

It is thought a handful of roads in Widnes and Runcorn were particularly targeted with the thieves breaking in during the night often while homeowners with young children were sleeping upstairs.

The men will appear in Chester Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on November 11.