TWO teenagers have apologised after defacing a poppy display outside a shop.

CCTV footage showed two females tearing off a number of large cardboard poppies from outside Xpose clothes shop in Wilmslow .

The owners of the fashion boutique on Water Lane turned detective after the incident at around 4.30am on Saturday, November 7.

They posted the footage on to their Facebook page in a bid to find those responsible for the early morning vandalism.

And it has now been viewed more than 11,000 times, generating a furious response.

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The 17 and 18 year old turned themselves into police yesterday, November 11.

Police now say the pair have apologised to the shop owners, John and Jane Maloney, made a donation to the Poppy Appeal and will get a lesson from a representative from the Royal British Legion of the significance of the poppies and Remembrance Day.

Chief Inspector Rob Dickinson said: “The girls aged 17 and 18 were quickly identified and have shown full remorse for their actions.

“On speaking with the shop owners they confirmed they didn’t want to make a formal complaint against the pair but are fully aware of the action which has been taken by the police.

“As part of the Restorative Justice process the girls have written a letter of apology to the shop-owner, and have made a donation to the Poppy Appeal.

“In consultation with Cheshire Police the Royal British Legion are also explaining to the girls the significance of the poppies and Remembrance Day and the impact their actions have had.”

A new poppy display was put up on Wednesday in time for Armistice Day.

In a statement put on the shop’s Facebook page Mr and Mrs Maloney said: “Firstly, we would like to thank you for sharing our post regarding our poppies. A representative of the two girls has been in to the shop to apologize on their behalf. They are said to be very remorseful about their actions. They are going to issue a written apology and make a donation to the British Legion. Could we now please draw a line under the whole situation and move on.”