AN office manager of a retail factory outlet has been jailed for three years and nine months after embezzling more than £150,000 from her employers.

Rita Swan was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after admitting stealing the money from Ena Mill in Atherton.

The 64-year-old from Blackburn has worked for Ena Mill's management team since 2006.

The owners of the business, which was set up in 2011, have thanked customers and staff for their support following the conclusion of the 'regrettable' case.

Joint owner Simon Yates said: “Some of our customers and suppliers already know what we have been going through.

"We want to thank everyone in the Ena Mill family – employees, customer and suppliers – for their support.

"We won't forget it. It means the world to us.”

The case coincided with Ena Mill releasing plans to become one of the largest retail mills in the north west.

The company says the plans, which incorporate new leisure and community facilities, remain on track.

Jonathan Addis, the other joint owner, said: “They say that sometimes the worst situations can show you the best in people.

"The way the Ena Mill family has rallied round is a perfect example, and that is certainly how we will choose to reflect on this regrettable, and thankfully closed, chapter of our lives.

“We can now put this whole sorry incident behind us.

"It is a relief for us all to be able to concentrate on our new expansion plans without distractions.

"We have built our whole business on trust.

"We trust hundreds of suppliers and employees, the same way our customers trust us.

"That won't change and this crime won't beat us.”

The owners' planned development of the first floor of the grade II listed building will double the retail space to more than 80,000sq ft and will include a new 300-cover restaurant.

The iconic engine room will be restored and made available to the community for meetings and functions.

Other highlights of the five-year plan include the creation of a heritage centre celebrating the area’s industrial past, additional on-site parking, a second restaurant and a newly revealed final development phase to convert the top two floors into 80 residential apartments.