A Bolton shop owner whose safe was stolen in the build up to Christmas last year has said she considered quitting - but said support from customers got her through.

Callous thieves targeted Fancy That, on Chorley Old Road, while it was closed in November.

They fled with the safe containing around £8,000 after breaking through a locked back door of the fancy dress store.

And owner Key Heywood said she has gone to great lengths to discover who was responsible.

The woman who has run the business since 2004 said: "I managed to get footage of the car but it did not show the registration plate because of the lighting but you could see the direction.

"I asked people if I could see their cameras but they all said they are not working.

"I found a till that was stolen, it wasn't our main till.

"I went round to see if anyone know anything and looked for anything else.

"I went to the litter pickers and asked them to look out.

"I tried everyhing possible but I did not get anywhere."

The shop owner who lives in Astley Bridge said she felt 'gone' after the theft.

She said: "I think on top of everything else I considered closing.

"It was more morale rather than something money wise as I do have saving.

"It was more about morale we just felt gone.

"We have been picking up, people are coming in and loving it.

"It is a slow recovery we are seeing.

"We are now open one Tuesday afternoon so have gone from four days a week to four and a half.

"'It was the customers giving us really good feedback saying 'don't go.'

"The staff feel the same way."