THIEVES have caused up to £40,000 worth of damage to Towneley Hall's revamped Stables Cafe weeks after it opened.

Raiders stole lead from the roof at the restored visitor attraction, forcing Burnley Council to have to find the cash from its coffers in repairs.

The theft happened about 10 days ago and police are investigating.

Bosses at the council are also liaising with English Heritage to try and agree to use an alternative material as a replacement so that the attraction will not be targeted again.

Work on the Stables Cafe, a former 18th Century stable and coach house, began in January and transformed the popular visitor spot.

Mayor of Burnley, Coun Peter McCann, only officially launched the new look cafe, which has been refurbished as part of Towneley Park's ongoing £3.2million Heritage Lottery-funded restoration programme, a month ago.

Coun Roger Frost, Burnley Council's executive member for leisure and culture, said: "This is a great shame because the cafe has only just recently opened.

"The work to replace it is going to cost a substantial amount of money and although we haven't got an exact figure it is likely to be in the region of £20,000, £30,000 or £40,000."

The refurbishment work include enclosing the veranda to create a glass-fronted seating area with large doors which can be folded back in warm weather to create a conservatory-style' extension.

Cobbles were also relayed to offer easy access for the disabled and extra seating created outside. Improvements to the patio and garden areas were also made.

The theft and extra expenditure needed for repairs will be discussed at a meeting of Burnley Council next week.