A DISTRAUGHT Greenock cafe owner says he is on the brink of losing his business after callous thieves trashed his shop and cost him more than £1000.

Billy Gray, who owns Cafe Gray in Holmscroft Street, arrived at work on Saturday morning to find the premises ransacked, with stock strewn across the floor.

The businessman was devastated to discover that £500 had been taken, as well as around £80 within a charity tin for Ardgowan Hospice.

Billy now faces a total bill of around £1,400 to cover the stolen cash, swiped stock and to fix up the shop.

The Greenock businessman, who is grieving the loss of his mum after she passed away just three weeks ago, had to spend his 60th birthday on Sunday clearing up the debris left by the criminals.

Billy says the incident has left him shocked and saddened.

Billy said: "It's just about put me under.

"I'm raging. It's been three days and I'm still so angry.

"I have been to hell and back over the last few weeks and this feels like the final straw."

The criminals smashed in the lock on the back door to get in before their wrecking spree.

Billy phoned the police straight away and officers and forensics staff scoured the premises, finding footprints and fingerprints which will be further investigated.

Police believe that two people climbed up on wheelie bins around the side of the building and broke in through the back door.

Billy added: "I lost two full days of business as I couldn't open.

"They took jars of sweets worth about £20 each, ice cream, wafers and cones.

"It's horrible to think these people have destroyed something I've worked so hard to build up."

The community-minded businessman said while he's devastated at the damage, he's most upset about the theft of the Ardgowan Hospice donations - and has pledged to make sure the charity doesn't lose out.

The cruel robbers ripped the charity tin from where it was chained to the counter and emptied out the contents.

Billy has put in from his own pocket to cover the stolen sum, as well as accepting donations from his brother, family and friends, and local businesses, including A&A Bakers and Shore Shack.

Billy said: "It's bad enough stealing money from a shop but how can they do that to a charity?

"I will make sure the hospice doesn't lose out and will get even more money than we had.

"I've lost two friends in the hospice over the last six months and I know the great work they do. I can't believe someone would do that."

Billy is now awaiting updates from Greenock police on the progress of the investigation.

He added: "You couldn't print what I really want to say to about these people.

"They are lowlife scum."