POLICE are today investigating a "drag raid" at the Texaco filling station in Staplehurst, near Maidstone.

At least three men were involved in the raid at 4am this morning when they used an estate car to pull the front door of the petrol station shop off its hinges.

It is believed they were targeting the ATM machine inside, but police would not confirm this morning whether they were successful.

Neighbours woken by a loud crashing sound witnessed the getaway car making off, with a rope dragging behind it, but were astounded when it stopped at the traffic lights at Cuckolds Corner, which were on red, before turning right in the direction of Headcorn.

It is the third such raid on the garage in the last two years.

A similar "drag-raid" occurred at the Kentish Yeoman pub in Bearsted, near Maidstone, on Monday morning, with thieves making off with an ATM machine.

Earlier on Saturday, thieves ram-raided the Alldays store in Church Green , Marden, but failed to get away with the cash machine.