The 16-year-old broke into a warehouse and stole the 17 ton lorry before driving it through a playing field.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, drove over a large mound of earth at the side of the playing fields, destroying the undercarriage and the suspension of the lorry.

John Anderton, of Meadow View, Orrell, who owns CJ Distribution in Haydock, had to lay off one of his staff after the vehicle was scrapped.

He is adamant that he will carry on trading but it has left him struggling, particularly because of the recent credit crunch and the soaring cost of fuel.

John, 45, said: "It has had a huge impact, all because of the stupid actions of a teenage girl.

"We have had lorries stolen in the past but not by someone as young as this – it's pretty shocking and I have been in the business for 22 years now.

"I am still waiting for the insurance to settle on a payout and I have not been provided with a hire vehicle. There is no way I can pay to rent one – it costs more than £400 per week, which is why I can no longer afford to keep a member of staff."

The father-of-one, is now working around the clock to meet the deadlines, make the deliveries and keep his business going.

He said: "I have been waiting nearly two months now to get the payout.

"As soon as I get that I can look into getting another wagon. Times are definitely hard at the moment."

The 16-year-old was charged with burglary and taking of a vehicle. She also faced charges of assault and criminal damage and appeared before St Helens Magistrates' Court on June 12.

She was given a detention order of 12 months.