A TOWN CENTRE restaurant was forced to close today after intruders broke in and left the venue "in a mess".

Tex Mex eaterie Sabroso, which is based in the George Street quarter of St Helens town centre, issued a statement explaining why it could not open.

It read: "Unfortunately today (Sunday) we won’t be able to open as we’re sad to say we’ve been broken into and our gorgeous restaurant is a mess currently.

"We will post more once we’re able to get police to us."

The restaurant opened back in June after Sharon and Paul Bridge, from Sutton, followed their dream of turning their successful takeaway in Thatto Heath into a fully fledged restaurant.

Sabroso - serving breakfasts, lunch, dinner, desserts, coffee and cocktails - was created within the former George Street Suites store after the family transformed the building with a stylish layout and Mexican artwork.

The break-in - which came less than a week after the Cotham Street headquarters of charity the HoneyRose Foundation was targeted by crooks - led to an angry response from supporters of the independent business.

One wrote on social media: "Gutted, angry and annoyed for you. You've all worked so bloody hard to have this amazing restaurant. Hope they're caught and you get back open soon."

Another wrote: "So sorry for you, how horrendous. Such a fantastic place, hope you get back on track and the culprits are caught x."

In June parents-of-two Paul, 49 and Sharon, 48, described how the family had been working from 9am to 11pm in preparation for the business opening.