A SHOP owner was told to remove a mannequin from outside his store because it reminded bank workers of their armed robbery ordeal.

Bolton Council threatened Hamid Shahabi with a fine if he refused to take down the life-size figure, following a number of complaints from the public.

Staff at a neighbouring Lloyds TSB branch were said to be upset by the dummy as it gave them flashbacks of a raid at the bank.

Three masked men charged into the premises with a sledgehammer and a crowbar, terrifying staff in February. No-one was arrested in connection with the attack.

When council officers visited the Arms and Outdoors shop, they found a figure dressed from head to toe in dark clothing with a black balaclava pulled down over it head.

Mr Shahabi was said to be adamant the mannequin was mocked up as a soldier to represent troops fighting in Afghanistan and help raise funds for the Help the Heroes charity which supports servicemen and women. The council said the doll had since been removed following a letter which warned him he faced a fine if he did not comply over the issue, which had supposedly raised “ill-feeling” among local businesses.