Police are hunting ram-raiders who wrenched a cash machine from a bank in Lydd High Street in the early hours of this morning (Friday) leaving debris strewn across the road.

Bemused onlookers gathered beyond police tape in the morning to watch a forensic expert take samples from the muddy digger which remained in situ, sitting menacingly before what remained of the front of the LLoyds TSBbank.

The smash and grab happened at 3.30am.

Tim Crompton, owner of the George Hotel opposite the bank, had only been in bed for about 10 minutes when he was awakened by a grinding noise.

He said: "I thought, what the hell is that? I saw a digger attempting to take the cash machine - it took about six or seven tries to dig it out.

"There was a guy on the pavement directing the man in the digger."

While on the phone to police, Mr Crompton saw two vehicles head off down the High Street.

It is not yet known how much money may have been taken.

No one was hurt.

A low-loader was used to remove the digger by about 10.15am.