Two members of a "professional" burglary gang behind cross-border raids from Scotland into Carlisle, have been told by top judges their jail terms were not a day too long.

Ryan Dunwoody, 30, and Mark Wallwork, 24, both from Wythenshawe, Manchester, "thought they were untouchable by the law", London's Appeal Court heard.

They based themselves at holiday parks in Scotland then mounted raids on shops and garages across Cumbria, County Durham and North Wales.

Along with four others, they stole £60,000 worth of mobile phones, cigarettes, and cash.

The pair were each jailed for seven and half years at Carlisle Crown Court in February last year.

They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle, and Wallwork also admitted stealing a £25,000 Mercedes in a house burglary.

Three judges at London's Criminal Appeal Court heard them plead for cuts in their sentences.

The court heard how the six-strong gang carried out a series of raids in October and November 2013, using holiday parks in Dumfries and Galloway as bases.

In the first burglary, £2,500 worth of cigarettes were stolen from the Hills Service Station, in Kingstown Road, Carlisle.

Police from England, Scotland and Wales worked together for several months to snare the gang.

Dunwoody was eventually seized while fleeing the scene of an attempted burglary at an Asda store, in Rhyl, North Wales, on December 3 2013.

Lawyers for Dunwoody and Wallwork argued their sentences were far too tough and ought to be cut.

But Mr Justice Flaux, sitting with Lord Justice Gross and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, ruled they each got what they had deserved.

The judge noted that Dunwoody had 48 convictions on his record whilst Wallwork had committed numerous previous burglaries.

"These were professional criminals who had not been deterred from offending by receiving custodial sentences in the past and cosidered that they were untouchable by the law.

"If you choose to be a career criminal that is the price you have to pay," said the judge.