Thieves have used a digger to steal a cash machine from a service station in the second such raid in 24 hours.

The incident happened in the early hours at the Shell Lychgate garage near Dargate, on the A299 Thanet Way between Faversham and Whitstable, and is being treated as linked to another attempted theft on Sunday.

The theft was reported at about 1.50am this morning.

A CAT digger was used to remove the cash machine, causing a considerable amount of damage.

It was then loaded onto the back of a grey flatbed Ford Transit, which is reported to have left the scene in convoy with a dark-coloured Mitsubishi Shogun.

The incident is being linked with an unsuccessful attempt to steal a cash machine from the wall of a Tesco Express store in Dymchurch High Street, at about 2.15am on Sunday.

Both offences are being investigated by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to call the appeal line on 01843 222289 quoting reference 01-0066. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or complete the online form by clicking here.

Read more: All the latest news from Faversham