PETSHOP owner Rob Ralphson claims a £700 holiday in the sun was ruined and £600 takings lost because of over zealous environmental health officers who 'raided ' his town centre premises.

Mr Ralphson (pictured) told The Journal on his Florida holiday return that he had been kept fully aware by phone of events at his Queen Street shop, as reported in last week's Journal.

And following a face-to-face interview with council officials on Monday, Mr Ralphson said: "The 15 year old boy who fed the animals, together with his uncle, has cared for the animals for years.

"We all love the animals and take good care of them. The young lad knows what he is doing."

Mr Ralphson accused the council officials of being 'under hand', entering his shop without his permission and also stopping the youngster and another youth from opening the shop on a Saturday.

"That cost me £600 in takings. What with the cost of the holiday and the aggravation, it turned out to be a holiday not worth having."

The affair was reported to Wigan's Public Protection Committee on Tuesday and a council spokesman refuted that their staff had been over zealous.

"If we hadn't intervened animals would have continued suffering and I haven't seen any evidence that any officer of the council acted in an over zealous manner.

"I believe their response was appropriate to the situation they found."

Mr Ralphson has been told the council have powers to enter his premises at any reasonable time with or without his consent and that their enquiries are continuing.

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