A BOLTON shopkeeper is considering selling up after being plagued by yobs while it has been revealed other businesses are facing huge bills because of anti-social behaviour.

Bobby Khan, manager at Mums Happy Shopper in Winchester way, Breightmet, said he is sick of dealing with yobs and wants action from Bolton Council and the police.

He said: "It's a nightmare working here at night. I have had my windows smashed, graffiti is written all over the premises and customers have told me they are terrified to come to the store after 5pm.

"I cannot keep staff who have to work in the evenings, because they get so much grief from gangs.

"You only see police once in a blue moon, and I have approached the council to have CCTV installed, but I have been told there is not enough funding to do it.

"I am seriously considering selling the business and getting out. Yobs around here are ruining trade and I am tired of trying to deal with it, and mine is not the only shop affected."

A study by Royal and SunAlliance has revealed a 120 per cent increase in costs for incidents of theft, broken windows, graffiti or intimidation.

Hardest hit is the retail and consumer sector, where businesses say it has cost them an average of just over £9,000 during the last year, compared to £5,000 in 2005.

In the study, just over a quarter - 27 per cent - of those affected by yob behaviour attribute an increase in the problem to the introduction of the 24-hour drinking legislation in England and Wales.

Another store affected in Bolton is Bargain Booze in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross.

A spokesman said: "Things are getting progressively worse around here. We own several stores in the area, but we get the most trouble in Bromley Cross.

"In the last year, we've had an armed robbery and staff have been physically attacked or verbally abused on numerous occasions. We also get groups of lads storming into the shop, holding the door open and running out with crates of beer."

Tesh Patel, corporate development director at Royal and SunAlliance said: "Our research shows that the financial impact of yob behaviour is on the increase.

"This is a huge burden on businesses, especially smaller companies that struggle to cope with the financial loss."