RAM-RAIDERS have smashed their way through a store in a Kent village in an attempt to steal a cash machine.

A blue-coloured Mitsubishi Shogun was used to plow through the front of Townland Stores in Front Road, Woodchurch, near Ashford, in the early hours of this morning.

Owner Donald Thilagarajan, his heavily pregnant wife Mercy and their six-year-old twins were asleep upstairs.

The vehicle had earlier been reported stolen from the Hamstreet area. It has now been recovered by police.

Nothing was taken and no one was hurt, but the building was badly damaged and has been inspected by structural engineers.

Police were on the scene shortly after the incident at 12.50am and crime scene investigators spent the morning examining the scene.

Det Sgt Mark Smith, of Ashford police, said: "Such an incident in the rural areas is unusual, but nevertheless very distressing for the shop owners and causes concern within the community."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ashford police on 01233 896181.