DETECTIVES are hunting four men who ram-raided a North-East supermarket to steal cigarettes and alcohol.

A car was used to force the shutters of the Coop store on Lowland Road, Brandon, near Durham, between 11pm on Thursday night and 5.30am on Friday morning.

Officers were alerted to the break-in early on Friday morning by a member of staff who was opening the store.

Detectives are currently investigating if a blue BMW 520D found abandoned a short distance away may have been used in the burglary.

PC Laura Chisholm, from Durham City CID, said: "I am certain a car was used in this burglary and enquiries are underway to identify it.

“We have completed house-to-house enquiries and are currently reviewing CCTV.”

“We need to trace the four men responsible for this burglary as soon as possible and I am sure someone will know who they are, I would encourage them to come forward and speak to us.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident 36 of 23/09.