A WOMAN was woken by a thief ransacking her home in the early hours of this morning as a string of break-ins and thefts were carried out in towns and villages across East Lothian.

Police said thieves appeared to travel into the county in stolen cars before targeting properties between Saturday evening and the early hours of this morning (Monday).

In the most disturbing incident a woman discovered a thief in her house on Edinburgh Road, Tranent, shortly after 2am today.

He is understood to have demanded she tell him where her jewellery and cash were before fleeing the property empty-handed and making off in a waiting blue Ford Escort car.

The car was discovered hours later abandoned in Edinburgh and is thought to have been stolen.

In a separate incident, thieves are believed to have driven a stolen Peugeot car from Wardie Crescent, Edinburgh, to Aberlady on Sunday, where they abandoned it before making off with a silver Skoda Fabia and silver Audi A4 after breaking in to a property on the village High Street.

Police Scotland said a string of attempted housebreakings across the county over the weekend were also being linked to the car thieves.

They include incidents at Strathearn Road, North Berwick; Goose Green Road, Gullane; Montgomery Way, Musselburgh and West Loan, Prestonpans.

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.

Sergeant Brian Manchester, of Musselburgh Police Station, said: “We believe these house breakings are linked and are keen to hear from any member of the public who noticed anything suspicious in these areas over the weekend.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact us at Musselburgh Police station on 101 quoting incident number 1151 of 19/11/17 or anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"It is worth highlighting that over recent months in East Lothian the number of housebreakings has reduced significantly."