BURGLARS who broke into a charity shop were caught — when police traced their footprints in the snow.

Paul Battersby and Aaron Mort appeared at Bolton Magistrates’ Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to breaking into the Sue Ryder shop in Lee Lane, Horwich, in the early hours of Friday morning.

Neighbours phoned the police when they heard noise outside.

The pair smashed a window and searched inside, although they fled empty handed.

Police found them in an alleyway 120 metres away — and were able to trace their footsteps back to the shop.

Ann Pover, manager of the shop, said: “The fact it is a charity shop is unbelievable.

“We are trying to get as much money as we can. We have volunteers who give up their time, and then something like this happens.

“It means we have lost sales because we were not able to open until later on Friday and had to spend time clearing the broken glass up.

“When they smashed the glass they also broke ornaments. It is just disgusting.

“I thought it would be young kids but to hear they are adults is even more disgusting.

“It will cost the charity money because an insurance claim will be put in and there will be an excess to pay and it will probably increase the premium.”

The shop has been targeted before. The last break in was nine years ago.

Insp Wayne Readfern, of Bolton North policing team, said: “Any type of burglary is upsetting for the owner or occupier but to burgle a charity shop in these difficult financial times is terrible.”

Battersby, aged 40, of Ormston Avenue, Horwich and Mort, aged 29, of New Street, Bolton, will be sentenced on April 10.