BURGLARS ransacked a shop and stole thousands of pounds worth of e-cigarettes.

Thieves broke through a gate and forced a door to take the e-cigs and vapour liquid from Quit Easy in Church Street, Westhoughton.

The stock – estimated at being worth between £8,000 and £10,000 – was stockpiled for those whose New Year's resolution is to stop smoking.

Owner Lynsey Green, who also runs Lyn & Co hair that shares the premises, said: "I was devastated.

"We have put everything into the business — it's a blood, sweat and tears type of thing.

"I had been to a funeral that morning so wasn't in the best frame of mind."

The burglars broke off a wrought iron gate before smashing their way into the rear of the store overnight between Monday and Tuesday. They did not touch the hair salon side of the shop but piled e-cigarette products into boxes off the shelves.

Mrs Green said: "They took the majority of my stock. I had received a big order just before Christmas. It's usually in January when people want to get healthy and e-cigs are one of the biggest things to turn to if they want to stop smoking.

"The burglars have taken different brands of e-cig kits, mainly the high value stock. They have left certain items behind. I can't be sure if they have chosen particular brands or they have been disturbed. It's hard to tell. On average the value of the kits they have ended up takings is between £30 and £60 each at retail price."

The e-cig packs were Hangsen and Nictel brands and the vapour liquid from City Vape, Kangertech and Eleaf makes among others.

Police have launched inquiries into the burglary, which is the latest break-in in the town but the first at Quit Easy.

Mrs Green added: "Nobody saw or heard anything. The crowbar the burglars used to break in was left behind. The police said the burglars were wearing gloves so they can't find any fingerprints right now but they have taken it away for further tests."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.