It’s become a popular coffee spot in Preston city centre under the gaze of the Town Hall.

But now a city centre cafe, Ham and Jam, is asking for help to track down who put through their windows.

Richard Lowthian runs the independent cafe and exhibition space in Lancaster Road.

He arrived first-thing on Thursday morning to find glass shattered across the front door of the building.

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Mr Lowthian said: “I’m afraid we have been broken into.

“The front window glass has been smashed. It is so hard running an independent business and this is the last thing we need.”

He released a further statement on Thursday evening saying he was ‘overwhelmed’ by support from customers.

He said: “Thank you so much to all the fabulous people of Preston! We are overwhelmed by messages of support and it really helped us get through today. When we did open we had lots of customers who had made a special journey across the city to visit, that brought tears to my eye as you have no idea how much it means to us. You are amazing and we are now back up and running.”

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Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to call Preston Police on 1010 and quote log number SA1708258.