A DEVASTATED shopkeeper arrived at his store to find it trashed and thousands of pounds worth of stock stolen.

Visibly upset Ejaz Ahmed, 66, owner of Street Trading shop on Ashburner Street, said: “I just can’t work out what to do at the moment, my head hurts.”

The thieves managed to force open a metal shutter and smash their way in to the store in the early hours of this morning, taking e-cigarettes, a range of BB guns, toys and clothing.

“I estimate the loss at around £7,000,” said Mr Ahmed. “Some of the e-cigarettes cost £70 each.”

The thieves are thought to have taken advantage of the fact that planks and scaffolding have obscured the view of CCTV cameras.

They smashed the window at the end, near the entrance to the multi-storey car park, which is concealed from passers-by.

It is believed they came prepared and left no trace of what they used to smash the window at the scene.

“Business is bad enough as it is and I’m already struggling to pay the rent,” said Mr Ahmed.

“The work that’s being done on the Octagon Theatre hasn’t helped things because it’s putting off browsers and casual customers.”

Mr Ahmed is a familiar sight to town centre shoppers at his row of kiosks which he has rented from Bolton Council for 23 years.

He and his wife, Asyeen, are there seven days a week in all weathers.

Mr Ahmed said: “I am an old man and I don’t need this. I don’t know when the council is going to replace the glass or when I will be able to re-open.”

Usually, the store is open from 9.30am until 4.30pm but he did not arrive until 12pm today due to a hospital appointment.

“I felt dizzy when I saw the state of the shop. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure,” he said.

A spokseman for Bolton Council, landlord of the shop, said: "We received a report of vandalism at one of the kiosks on Tuesday and an officer went out to assess the damage.

“A contractor has undertaken work on our behalf to make the building safe and secure.

“We will also be arranging for a new window glazing panel to be fitted."

Police officers visited Mr Ahmed this afternoon and are investigating the incident.

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or contact the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.