A masked burglar leapt from a hotel balcony after being disturbed by one of the guests.

The man, wearing a woollen beany hat and a balaclava covering his face, scaled a nine foot fence to climb onto a balcony at Springs Hotel in North Stoke, near Wallingford, at around 8.10pm yesterday.

One of the guests spotted the burglar sliding open the patio door to his room and tried to grab him.

But the burglar jumped off the balcony to the ground and escaped empty-handed.

Police described the burglar as of medium or small build and was wearing dark clothing.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.