A FOOD store in Christchurch is closed after a break-in during the early hours of this morning.

Thieves broke into the Co-op store on Fairmile Road shop at around 4am.

It is not known what was taken in the raid.

Police were called to the area shortly afterwards and asked for further assistance from the NPAS helicopter crew, with a full search of the area carried out.

No arrests have been made.

Officers were still at the scene at around 8am this morning.

A sign in the door of the shop says: “Due to a break in this store will be closed until further notice.”

A burglar alarm covering the shop had been broken.

A Co-op spokesperson, said: “We can confirm that there was an incident at our Fairmile Road store in Christchurch at around 4am on Wednesday May 3.

"Fortunately no one was present at the time but the store remains closed whilst we assess the damage.

"We apologise for the inconvenience caused by its temporary closure and appeal for anyone with information to come forward to the police.”