THREE men were caught in the act of stealing scrap metal from a former Burnley school which was awaiting demolition.

Blackburn magistrates heard Gary Taylor and his accomplices tried to hide from police who had been alerted by a security guard who had seen torches being shone inside Ivy Bank.

Taylor, 26, of Russell Street, Bacup, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of copper pipe.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 10 days' rehabilitation and 40 hours' unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 victim surcharge.

Alex Man, prosecuting, said the building was due to be demolished and was in a very poor state.

"Its apparent these aren't the only people to be stripping down the building and it has been going on for some time," said Mrs Mann.

Janet Sime, defending, said her client had not been in trouble for three years.

"This is a derelict building and people have been attending and taking scrap from it for some time," said Miss Sime.