A SHOP owner was left picking up the pieces after a burglary in Headington in 1977.

Thieves ransacked Headington Sports in London Road in August of that year, stealing hundreds of pounds worth of clothes and equipment and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

It was the second time in the space of a month that the store was targeted by burglars.

ALSO READ: Burglars break into Oxford clothes shop

Owner Raymond Hollier and wife Patricia discovered the mess when they arrived to open up at 9am, and said they suspected youths were to blame as the items stolen were boys' sizes.

The shop floor was strewn with stock rejected by the thieves, and Mrs Hollier said they had also taken items from the display window.

She said she was surprised that no one passing by on the street had seen what was happening and reported it.