A BURGLARY at the Acomb charity shop of York’s St Leonard’s Hospice has had a partially happy ending, thanks to vigilant customers and a helping hand from York Designer Outlet.

Thieves broke a window at the shop in York Road and took a wedding dress displayed on a mannequin. The mannequin was later recovered from behind the wall of a nearby electricity substation, and hospice staff were able to retrieve it and clean it up.

Meanwhile, another customer had contacted York Designer Outlet to ask if it had a spare mannequin which could be donated to the hospice shop and the outlet’s bosses were only too happy to help.

Helen Moreton, the hospice’s retail manager, said: “We were all feeing rather down. But now, thanks to some of our loyal customers and to the generosity of York Designer Outlet, we have not one but two mannequins for the Acomb shop. Thank you to everyone who has helped over the last few days. We are very grateful for your support.”