A MOTHER who was burgled twice in one week says the thieves have caused her and her son "psychological damage".

Although the first two thefts involved her garden shed, Kelly Field is worried the crook will come back and break into the house.

The thieves first struck on October 1, when they stole two bikes from the shed at the property in Lilac Grove, Billinge.

They returned four days later and took two more bikes - one belonging to her son Kyle, 15, and the other to her friend.

Kelly, 32, who used her bikes to commute to work in Skelmersdale, said: "My two bikes are good, mid-range bikes — a mountain bike and a hybrid.

"One of them has sentimental value because I used it to cycle from Scarborough to Whitby and when I did the Leeds-Liverpool Canal ride for charity, both with my mum."

She said: "I feel there is a gang targeting Billinge and they don't realise the psychological damage they do. We're on eggshells. My son is scared to go to sleep."

It is believed the first incident happened between 6pm on October 1 and 12.25pm on October 2, and the second between 8pm on October 5 and 10am on October 6.

The stolen bicycles are described as a white 2009 MX5 Ridgeback mountain bike and a white Claud Butler Explorer hybrid bike, another Claud Butler bike in silver and blue, and a boy's black mountain bike.

Neighbourhood Inspector for Billinge, Steve Lowe, said: "The victim used at least one of the stolen bikes to get to work and so these incidents have caused a lot of inconvenience.

"If you think you may have seen anything suspicious in the area recently, or if you have been offered similar bikes for sale, I'd urge you to get in touch with us."

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting reference 0514186925 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.