SEVERAL shop units in Bolton town centre have been vandalised overnight.

At least three of the retail units next to the NCP Octagon car park, in Ashburner Street, have sustained damage.

One of the main shop windows has been completely shattered, leaving the vendor's merchandise exposed.

Broken shards of glass remained strewn across the pavement as people arrived into the town centre this morning.

Some of the shutters have also been broken.

It is not yet known whether anything has been stolen.

The row of units are understood to be rented out by Bolton Council to local businesses.

The Bolton News has contacted Greater Manchester Police.

Scaffolding is currently in place above the walkway next to the units to facilitate the major redevelopment work of the new Octagon Theatre.

A group of youths were seen climbing on the scaffolding at the building site last month.