A VILLAGE supermarket fell victim to an attempted break-in as a nearby branch was burgled for the third time in nine days.

Would-burglars tried to force entry into the Co-op, on Church Road, in Trimdon Station, in the early hours of Thursday, September 7, but failed to get inside.

The attempted break-in happened at a similar time as two balaclava-clad burglars forced their way into the Co-op store in Sedgefield before making off with bottles of spirits.

The men are believed to have gained access to the store sometime overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.

It was the third overnight incident at the town's supermarket in nine days.

The first incident happened at around 11.45pm on Tuesday, August 29, and the second at 2am on Saturday, September 2.

On the first occasion, the suspects did not make off with anything, but on the second occasion a quantity of cigarettes were stolen.

A Durham Police spokesperson said it was believed a brown 52 plate Hyundai Getz might have been involved in the incidents in Sedgefield.

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or with information about the attempted break-ins and burglaries across Sedgefield and Trimdon Station is asked to call police on non-emergency 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.