RAM raiders forced a jeep through the entrance of a Risca supermarket causing thousands of pounds of damage before making off with a cash machine.

The Kwik Save store at Fields Road in Pontymister was hit by raiders at around 1.30am yesterday.

They cut through special anti-ram-raid bollards placed around the entrance of the store before driving the vehicle through it.

Gareth Fuller, deputy manager at the Kwik Save store, said no staff were on site when the raid happened.

He said: "I don't know how there was not more structural damage. It appears they cut through the main security bollard and took slats from the shutters before coming through with the jeep.

"They also appear to have used the jeep to ram the cash machine and then took its internal box."

The raiders left the jeep inside the store and fled the scene in a smaller 4x4 vehicle.

Mr Fuller added: "We are still assessing the damage but the repair bill will run into thousands. We don't know how much was inside the cash machine, but it had been filled quite recently."

Anyone with information about the incident should call police 01633 838111.