A KEIGHLEY business owner is battling back against adversity after burglars stole nearly all of her stock.

Lauren Houfe, from Steeton, is back in business after her equestrian and pet supplies firm's rented premises off Dalton Lane was raided in May.

She said the company, which is called Hoofies Equestrian and Pet Supplies, is up and running with a new, secure store to house its stock and a website at hoofiesequestrianandpetsupplies.co.uk

However, she added: "Unfortunately the police didn't have many leads and no one has been caught for the burglary. It caused a lot of stress and upset for me and inconvenience for my customers.

"I am open and trading again but finding it difficult, as I'm unable to replace my stolen stock and am having to do many items on a pre-order basis.

"While some customers are happy to wait I fully understand why others are not.

"I used to pride myself on same day dispatch and next working day delivery. Now some items can take a few days to arrive before I can dispatch them.

"I'd like to return to normal trading, as it was before the break-in, and to get Hoofies back to its previous excellent delivery status."

The burglars, who struck in the early hours of the morning on May 19, took at least £5,000 to £7,000 worth of gear, most of which was horse-related equipment. Security camera footage showed three men loading goods into a car and driving off.

Miss Houfe said: "I was shut down for about three to four weeks. I'm hoping to pull things back, but it will take a while to return to where I was.

"I've got a new lock-up to keep my stock, and I'm using Smart Water to identify it, which is what the police recommended."