A man went on a drunken rampage and smashed up a Co-op Travel Shop in Bury town centre, a court heard.

Timothy Ford, aged 55, of Woodman Drive, Bury, was on the way home from a night on the town when he broke his way into the premises on The Rock.

He caused extensive damage to fixtures and fittings and hurled computers and photocopiers on the floor.

Ford, who also smashed two windows at the nearby Scope charity shop, was said to have put the Co-op shop “out of action” for a day or two after the incident in the early hours of October 25, Bury Magistrates Court was told.

Ford, who had not broken the law for 29 years, was said to be “simply mortified” by his behaviour which was described as “completely out of character”.

The defendant, who admitted burglary and criminal damage, was given a 12-month community order, with 150 hours unpaid work. Ford was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the Co-op and £200 to Scope.

Steve Woodman, prosecuting, said Ford had forced entry into the Co-op Travel shop at about 3.30am. The alarm went off and security staff and police officers arrived to find Ford still present, wrecking the shop.

He was arrested, having caused about £4,500 damage to the premises.

Mr Woodman said it was then found that two windows at Scope had been smashed, which cost £400 to repair.

When questioned, Ford said he had gone out, had a fair few pints, had become angry as he walked home, and started to kick some shop windows and had “gone mad”.

The defendant, who is currently unemployed, told the hearing: “I feel thoroughly ashamed of myself.”