A BLACKBURN pound store boss is believed to have fled to Spain after being suspected of stealing £9,500 from his shop.

Marc Atherton, 29, got a flight to Alicante Airport and is now thought to be in Benidorm with his partner Jamie Crossman, police said.

The day before bosses of Poundworld in the Mall Shopping Centre had noticed three days' worth of takings were missing.

Now the store manager has been listed as wanted on the police national computer and all ports have been notified.

Last night Atherton's mum urged her son to pick up the phone and contact his family.

Carol Smith, 55, of Bolton, said: “I just want him to come home and we can sort things out.

“It is so out of character for him and it is such a shock. I'm gobsmacked."

Mrs Smith said her youngest son had suffered bouts of depression and she believed he had gone to Benidorm as he'd been to the resort before on holiday.

She added: “I don't think he's in his right mind.

"He's never been in trouble before and I just hope he comes to his senses because everything can be resolved.

"His family, his older sister and brother, are all worried about him.

"I just want him to pick up the phone and contact us.”

He had worked at the Blackburn store since August 2010 and was promoted to manager two weeks before the thefts.

Police believe £4,500 of Saturday’s takings, £2,000 of Sunday’s takings and £2,800 of Monday’s are missing.

They were not deposited in the Post Office as normal.

Bosses alerted police last Tuesday and Atherton is believed to have flown out to Spain the following day, officers said.

Police now want to speak to Mr Atherton, who also lives in Bolton, on suspicion of theft.

Friends have told police that his Facebook profile has been deleted.

PC Leo Noctor said: “I’ve made a number of inquiries and it is presumed he has gone abroad.

"He flew to Alicante airport and could be in Benidorm.

“I’ve spoken to his mother, who is very concerned. No-one has spoken to him since last week.

“It is only a matter of time before we catch up with him.”

Nobody from Poundworld was available to comment when contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph.

If anyone has information on Mr Atherton's whereabouts, contact police on 01254 353576 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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