An attempted raid on a bank early this morning is being linked to a cash machine robbery in Ashford on Wednesday.

Police disturbed robbers trying to remove an ATM from Natwest in Snodland. They were called to the High Street branch at 3.40am today where they found a JCB digger still holding the machine near to where it had been ripped from the wall.

A 13-ton digger was used to take a free-standing cash machine from outside Waitrose supermarket at Repton Park.Kent Police say they are linking it to a cash machine robbery which happened in Ashford on Wednesday.

Officers want to hear from anyone who saw two vehicles, a dark flatbed lorry and a light saloon car, which they believed were used by the ram-raiders.

Det Insp Kevin Downard said: "Kent Police treat these types of crime seriously. We would appeal to anyone who may have been out and about in the early hours in the Snodland area to contact us with any information. We are especially keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed these suspicious vehicles, which we believe drove off up the High Street."

Anyone with information should call the new non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.