RAM raiders stole a car and smashed into a town centre shop, before grabbing a cash machine and fleeing the scene.

The raid took place at the Co-Op supermarket in North Street, Wareham, in the early hours of Monday morning.

It is not known at this stage, how much the thieves took in the 4am burglary.

The front of the damaged store was cordoned off by police yesterday. Officers were in attendance and Crime Scene Investigators were on site.

A huge plate glass window was lying smashed on the pavement and there was glass and concrete debris just inside the store.

A police officer told the Echo the vehicle used in the raid - a khaki coloured Land Rover - had been taken from an industrial unit at Swanage Railway.

Swanage Railway’s general manager, Matt Green, said: “It was used for transporting staff and materials so the theft's really not helpful to us.

“It was kept in a compound and padlocks were broken to get access to it.

“The police haven’t been able to find it, but we would be really grateful to anyone with information to get in touch with us or the police.”

The manager of the Co-Op store declined to comment on the incident, except to say: "All I can say is that nobody was hurt."

The store was still open to shoppers through a rear entrance.

Chairman of Wareham Chamber of Trade, Mark Howlett, said: "You don't expect anyone to drive a car through a plate glass window in the middle of a town centre. These people are just brazen.

"I have been here 23 years and this is only the third or fourth major incident in that time."

Mr Howlett, who runs Farwells newsagents, opposite the Co-Op, added: "It is the disruption it causes to everybody just so someone can make a few quid."

Sue Morley, manager of the Age UK shop, also in North Street, said: "Someone broke into our store in February and stole money from the till.

"I don't think additional security measures would help. There is CCTV in the town, but if they're going to do it, they're going to do it. It is a shock when something like this happens."

Detective Constable Rhys Griffiths, of Western CID, said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to the incident, who have not spoken to police yet, to come forward.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who has seen a khaki coloured Landrover with a tyre on the bonnet in the area at the time or has seen it driven to or away from the scene."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police by calling 101, quoting incident number 29:65. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.