A self-employed tiler thought about giving up his business after thieves stole tools worth thousands of pounds and his work van.

Jack Oakman, who started Bolton-based Stonemill Ceramic, discovered the theft when he woke up at his flat in Astley Bridge on February 10.

The police were contacted but the van has not yet been traced, meaning Jack has been forced to buy a new van and equipment.

Jack said: “I woke up and looked out the window and saw that it was not there.

“I knew then that it had been stolen and I went out that morning to see if I could find it.

“It’s a stressful situation and  I have wasted a lot of money and time to sort it out.

“Mentally it’s very taxing and financially draining because the money that you save and accrue over  a period of time, is then taken by this happening.”

The ordeal has left Jack out of pocket and he had considered giving up his business and finding work at an office instead.

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He said: “I was even thinking of packing it in and just getting a 9-5 job in an office because I used to work in recruitment.

“If it happens again, I would not be able to get back into it.

“It’s a one time thing, so it’s very stressful and taxing on relationships with my family and it seems like it’s not worth it when someone takes something that you have earned.”

The gym Jack train at, The Colony Health and Fitness Gym in Bolton, started a Go Fund Me to help Jack with the costs after they heard what had happened.

People at the gym came together to help Jack and so far have raised £685 so far.

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Jack said: “It’s been a difficult time but the community at The Colony have been really supportive and I’m grateful to all the people that have donated.

“They didn’t have to do that and I told them not to but they did and I’m grateful to the gym.

"I'm also grateful for support from my partner Millie, she's been a diamond for me as always and supported me throughout this."

GMP have been contacted for a response.

Donate to the Go Fund Me page. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/fy5uy5-raise-money-to-replace-stolen-tools?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined)