An antiques dealer has thanked the community for its support after his shop was broken into.

Bridport Antiques on West Street, Bridport, was broken into in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Owner Richard Payne-Withers said: “It’s not been very nice. Eight windows were broken, meaning it was a mess. We could not open on Bank Holiday Monday. We had been hoping for a big weekend and lots of customers but that could not happen as we had to tidy up.”

Despite having to keep his business closed on a hot and busy Bank Holiday, Mr Payne-Withers says he is grateful for the support he has received in response to the incident.

“It is unpleasant but you have to get on with things,” he said. “We have had support from our customers and people have been very kind to us since it happened. We’re trying to be philosophical about it and we just have to get on with things. We will get over it.

“The police have been absolutely amazing and I can’t praise them enough. The support of police and the local community has been admirable – it is greatly appreciated. We will bounce back. It won’t keep us down.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed officers were called shortly before 2am on Sunday, May 6 to reports of a break-in at Bridport Antiques.

The spokesman said: “Officers attended and discovered several windows and a door had been smashed. It is not known if anything was taken.

“A 35-year-old local man has been charged with burglary and is due to appear before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on June 11.”