An 80-year-old - believed to be Scotland's oldest housebreaker - has been collared by police.

The pensioner was arrested after being suspected of stealing £400 worth of white goods in a house break-in in Bathgate, West Lothian.

The grandfather has been arrested and charged with house-breaking.

'White goods' refers to items like washing machines and fridges - quite a challenge to creaking joints.

A former senior officer said: "Stealing white goods is very unusual. Criminals now want jewellery or iPads, not fridges and washing machines."

The pensioner is among nine alleged housebreakers caught in West Lothian by officers during Operation RAC over the past week.

A spokesman for the Age Scotland charity said: "We don't condone crime, and being older doesn't in itself make someone more or less virtuous.

The stolen goods have been recovered and the pensioner is set to appear in court on March 18.