TWO people have been arrested in connection with the theft of a cash machine from a Co-op store in a Kent village.

Thieves used two 4x4 vehicles during the raid at the store in Churchfield Way at Wye, near Ashford, at around 2am on Thursday.

They forced entry and took the cash machine from inside the shop.

The thieves, thought by police to be a gang of four men, loaded it onto one of the vehicles before driving off into Olantigh Road.

Det Sgt Andy Chapman said: "The ATM and two vehicles, which had been stolen in the Folkestone and Dover area and are believed to have been used in the raid, have been recovered and inquiries are ongoing to recover the cash."

The amount of cash stolen has not been released by the police, but an estimated £3,000 worth of damage was caused to the shop front, windows and masonry.

Police are still appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 01233 896282 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.