A prowler left his shoes behind when he fled a house he was trying to burgle.

Police believe the intruder took off his footwear to creep around.

But he fled when he trod on a loose floorboard and alerted the family in bed upstairs.

The owner of the house in Haywards Heath went downstairs and saw the pair of shoes.

He said: "I noticed a door was open and thought perhaps a fox had pushed it. Then I saw a shabby, size ten pair of suede shoes.

"I wondered whether a drunk had come in to use the loo but thought it was best to call the police."

Police are searching for the man who fits the Cat-brand, tan shoes.

Officers believe he used a duplicate key to open the back door of the house in Gander Hill shortly after midnight yesterday.

Police want anyone who saw a man without shoes to call 0845 6070999.