A BUSINESS closed its door after it was cleared of all its stock -- not by a burglar, but by a specialist record dealer.

The dealer, from Cornwall, contacted the owners of Pride Records in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, by e-mail about 12 times on Monday expressing an interest in the shop's stock.

And he was so keen he hired a van and turned up with friends and bought the whole of the stock of collectable CDs and records for cash.

Co-owner Janice Percy, said: "He made us an offer we couldn't refuse. We were looking to clear the music side to make room to concentrate on the collectable autographed memorabilia and abstract art we have been buying and we are looking to take over larger premises.

"We hadn't expected to close quite so quickly though!"

Janice was keen to scotch rumours that the business had closed or had been burgled -- as she was told by the nearby newsagent!

She said: "We will be reopening on July 13 as Celebrity Gallery, showing art work which we have been collecting for a while."

The company has traded for the past five years, initially selling collectable CDs and records before moving into autographed celebrity items.

Janice added: "Only after he had gone did we realise he left half-a-dozen Mariah Carey Australian discs, so we shall send them on to him!"