A fun Easter Egg competition had to be cut short because of scammers.

Market Place Shopping Centre had hidden chocolate eggs around the retail and leisure complex in Bolton.

And shoppers were invited to find them by guessing which store they were hidden in - and win the egg

The Facebook competition had to be cut short after it emerged scammers were trying to target followers.

In a statement a spokesman said:"We are aware of a fake account that impersonates our page and attempts to scam our followers. We will only ever contact the winners from our official account on the closing date and we will never ask for any personal details. We encourage you to report and block any account attempting this."

And shortly afterwards he decision was made to end the competition

The spokesman stated: "Due to people attempting to scam on our Where’s the Egg? Competition, we are going to finish it after today! Sorry to everyone who’s taken part."

One person posted on Market Place Shopping Centre's Facebook page:"I got a comment on my post saying that I had won but it was obviously the scammers just ruins it for everyone xx.2

But the scammers have not cancelled Easter - for the centre has a packed holiday programme.

There will be Bouncing Bunnies event tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am – 4pm with a craft workshop as well.

On 1April 12 there will be a celebration of the release of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, with unlicensed Mario and Luigi characters coming to the Centre to do meet and greets from 10am – 4pm.