A heroin addict who burgled 68 homes across Trafford during a 10-month spree has been sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Peter Dowling, aged 43, of Lloyd Street South in Fallowfield stole goods worth more than £62,000, between December 2005 and September 2006.

Dowling, who sold the stolen goods to fund his addiction, was arrested on suspicion of burglary in the communal hallway of a property on Highfield Road, in Sale, in September 2006.

He admitted four counts of burglary, while a further 64 counts were taken into consideration, and was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on November 21.

Sgt Philip Seeley, from Trafford's burglary unit, said: "This is the culmination of a complex investigation into offences of burglary at people's homes throughout the borough. A number of the offences uncovered had not even been reported to police previously.

"I would like to take this opportunity to urge the public to ensure that they keep their doors and windows locked at all times, particularly as the nights are getting darker."

Dowling was initially charged with four burglaries but during questioning he confessed to police that he had been involved in many more, and agreed to show police these houses.

Officers drove him around the Sale and Altrincham areas and he pointed out a further 64 homes he had broken into, some on more than one occasion.

In the investigation that followed it was found Dowling had stolen at least £62,362 worth of goods on his burgling spree, mainly stealing electrical goods and any cash he found in the houses.

On one occasion Dowling stole almost £16,500 from one home.