Police are hunting raiders who drove a pick-up truck through the window of a village store in a bungled attempt to steal a cash machine.

The would-be thieves smashed their way into the Blean Costcutter shop on Tyler Hill Road at 1.10am today, but left empty handed.

The owner of the store, who would only be named as Mr K Patel, says they abandoned the truck outside the store before fleeing.

"The pick-up truck was reversed diagonally and driven through the front window," he said.

"They tied a rope around the ATM to try to steal it, but it wouldn't budge. It's secured so there's no way it was going to move.

"They then abandoned the truck outside."

Mr Patel, who has run the store for more than a year, says there was another car which the raiders likely made off in.

"I got here straight afterwards and the police got here quickly," he said.

"It's not the first raid on the store, but it's the only one since I've been here."

Neighbour Godfrey King says the front of the shop was completely smashed with goods spilling out onto the pavement.

"It looks like shelves have been ripped out and there was stuff everywhere," he said.

Police spokeman Scarlet Drayson says they are appealing for witness to the attempted theft.

"Police were called at 1.21am on Friday, September 21, to a report a vehicle had been used in an attempt to remove an ATM from inside a shop in Tyler Hill Road," she said.

"It was reported the black Toyota Hilux pick-up truck was left in situ, however its occupants left the scene.

"The ATM and adjoining building received damage during the incident but nothing was reported stolen."

Witnesses or anyone with information are urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting 21-0061.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.