POLICE tracking down two perfume thieves followed the scent to two town centre pubs before arresting them at the hostel where they both lived.

Blackburn magistrates heard after the theft of the fragrance diffusers was reported police went to the Sun Hotel where they were told two men had been trying to sell the products.

They then went to the Postal Order where a customer was sat with one of the diffusers on the table in front of him.

Saliou Henry Diaw, 30,and Billy Hilton, 37, both of Canterbury Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of the diffusers from Next.

They were both fined £120 with £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation.