A fishing tackle shop has been forced to close after a burglary wiped out most of its stock.

Thieves stole more than 75 per cent of the supplies at Heaps of Tackle, in Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick.

But owner Steve Heap said he would “come back stronger”.

Mr Heap, who runs the shop on his own, said: “It completely knocked the stuffing out me, but I’m trying to get it sorted. We still have some stock left so I will try and get it open as quickly as possible. It is our only source of income and we have a young child, so I need to get it open.

“We’re just an independent shop, but we will come back stronger and come out fighting.”

The burglary happened early last week and the shop has been closed since last Wednesday.

It is the latest in a number of burglaries to hit the town centre, and local councillor Jenny Purcell is calling for a greater police presence on the streets.

She said: “It is getting out of hand. There are far too many break-ins and something has to be done. It is beyond a joke. There is no police presence around this town and we need one.

“It is no good police being sat in an office in Burnley or Colne, we need them on the streets.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.