THIEVES broke into a Santa's grotto and ran off with hundreds of toys which should have been given to children.

The criminals looted the outbuilding at Barton Grange Garden Centre, in Wigan Road, Deane, taking a television, video recorder and gifts.

The company is putting the bill for the theft at between £400 and £500.

But angry staff have refused to be beaten by the thieves and have bought more toys for Father Christmas to present to boys and girls.

Workers at the garden centre had spent a lot of time putting the Santa's grotto together in the theme of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

The television and video was installed so children could watch Disney films while they waited to see Father Christmas.

All the money raised from the venture was to be donated to charity and some of the items were destined for the BEN/Bolton Lions Caring Christmas campaign for needy local youngsters.

Tony Jones, outside sales manager, said: "It is annoying because they are pinching from the charity and the kids.

"It takes a lot of time to get the grotto ready and the staff become heavily involved."

Staff at Barton Grange estimate that between 100 and 120 children visit Father Christmas in their grotto every week and they felt they could not let down the children.

Mr Jones said: "We were not going to be beaten by the thieves, so it's business as usual."

The grotto is open from 3pm to 5pm from Wednesdays to Fridays and from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Police are investigating.