TWO teenage girls have appeared in court after Christmas presents were stolen from a Barrow home.

Grandmother Lesley Stevenson-Hill and Robert Hill were left distraught after burglars ransacked their home on Lorne Road - stealing wrapped Christmas presents.

Stacey Lee Lancaster and Meggan Alana Kennedy, both 18, were ordered to pay £135 compensation each after admitting they were involved in the incident on December 2.

Kennedy, of Red River Walk, and Lancaster, of Rising Side, were also fined £100 and told to pay costs of £85.

They admitted a charge of dishonestly assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods for the benefit of another, knowing or believing they were stolen.

South Cumbria Magistrates Court heard the items included cameras, board games and clothes, of an unknown value.

Businesses from across the town agreed to donate gifts to replace the ones taken.

The Mail contacted shops including Morrisons, Tesco Extra and Heaths Toymaster, on Dalton Road, who all agreed to come forward with gifts to bring smiles to the faces of grandchildren Macey Beckett-Stevenson and Eva Stevenson.

Ciaran Crellin, 21, of Marsh Street, and Dale Smith, 21, of Risingside, both in Barrow, have been charged with burglary.

Mr Smith has also been charged with two additional offences of theft from motor vehicles.

They will appear at Preston Crown Court on May 8.