CUSTOMERS besieged the offices of a well-known bathroom store after it was suddenly closed by bailiffs.

About 40 angry customers, who had each paid thousands of pounds for bathrooms, turned up to the premises of Euro Bathrooms in Gloucester Street, Atherton, on Monday to find the doors locked.

They claimed the firm had been taking money from customers as late as Friday.

Euro Bathrooms' landlord, Reality, called in bailiffs, saying that it was owed £300,000 in rent.

The bailiffs executed a warrant last Friday and locked up the business. Members of staff were sent home.

Euro Bathrooms, which employs 25 people, is run by company director Ian Poulton.

The firm has not gone into administration or liquidation, said a spokesman for Reality.

Customer James Waddicker, from Lostock, who paid £4,500 for two bathroom suites from Euro Bathrooms, said: "Its terrible how they have treated me.

"I ordered my suites in May and paid in advance. The collection time was in July, which I thought was a long time to wait. I turned up on Monday and found a crowd of 40 people outside the shop.

"There were a lot of irate people wanting to know why Euro Bathrooms had closed its doors."

A sign in the window read: "Closed for a few days due to an electrical fault.'

Nemat Ghatan, accountant for Reality, said: "We know that Mr Poulton was trying to rescue the business and get other investors to pay off the debts. He was trying for the last three to four weeks."

A spokesman for Wigan Trading Standards said they had received at least a dozen complaints from customers.

Those who have not received goods will find out on Friday whether they can pick up their bathroom suites.

Ian Davies, agent for the bailiffs firm, Schofields, has advised customers to take all paperwork to the premises between 10am and noon.

Mr Davies advised people to stop any cheques they paid to Euro Bathrooms, or contact their credit card company immediately.