A RESTAURANT'S plans to reopen in the summer have been put back weeks after around 80 15ft wooden boards of decking which were set to be fitted for social distancing purposes have been stolen.

Police were called to the Retreat on Chorley New Road in Bolton on Saturday at around 8pm after being told that a man driving a silver Toyota Aygo approached the premises at around 5.20pm.

It is alleged that the suspect lifted decking from the property and loaded it into the Aygo, which has a registration number of MV58 ZFJ, before he made off.

Police confirmed today, Monday, that a 29-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of theft.

The man was also question in relation to a separate incident where garden turf was stolen.

Director of the Retreat, Richard Hibbert, has been left "disgusted" by the theft, which he has been told took place on a number of occasions over the course of around five days, which made it harder to notice the wood had been taken.

He said: "We are trying to extend space for social distancing when we are allowed to open again.

"The decking cost £1,000 and it took five weeks just to get because it's so hard to get at the moment.

"This has put us back weeks."

Anyone with any information of the location of the silver Toyota Aygo is urged to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.