THE Fat Loaf restaurant and bar in Ashton on Mersey was burgled - the night before staff were due to make meals to feed up to 80 homeless people.

Manager Paul Taylor said thieves made off with around £200 in cash but added he was more concerned about meeting the culinary deadline.

The 33-year-old said his establishment supports the charity Not Just Soup Manchester which delivers food to people living on the streets.

The food made by the Fat Loaf staff will be enjoyed by homeless people in Piccadilly Gardens, central Manchester.

He said: "We were trying to prepare the food while trying to sort out somebody to come and fix the door and we had the crime scene investigators there. It was all a bit hectic, really. It was a bit of a testing day to be honest.

"But it was good. We had to do this homeless thing because its something that we signed up for and its something that we wanted to do.

"I wasn't going to pull out of it - we just had to get on with it, really. It was just one of those things. But it was a difficult day."

Police said the burglary took place on August 10 between 10.30pm and 1.30am. Offenders stole numerous items including cash.

* Anyone with any information is asked to call GMP on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.