A SEARCH is on to track down would-be robbers who used a 4x4 to ram a shop front to try and steal a cashpoint from a retail park.

The attempted theft happened at about 2am yesterday at the Arnison Centre in Durham City.

Two men, who were described as wearing balaclavas and having local accents, are suspected of using a Landrover Defender to crash into the front of Wilko several times.

Police believe the vehicle, which is burgundy with a white roof, was reversed several times into the front of the building in an attempt to steal a cash point inside.

A tow bar came off the vehicle and was left at the scene.

The Landrover had been stolen the previous night from an address in Wolsingham.

It was later found abandoned in a wooded area near Nettlesworth.

DS Nigel Dowd from Durham City CID said: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or car described, leaving the Arnison Centre in the early hours of this morning. We would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle on Sunday, June, 26, its white roof is very distinctive. We have now recovered it and we are conducting a detailed forensic examination.

"My team of detectives have also seized CCTV from the surrounding areas and are currently scouring the footage to build up a picture of the vehicles movements."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and ask for Durham City CID, alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.