A CAR believed to have been used in a ram raid at a sub-post office shortly before Christmas has been recovered by police.

The red Honda CR-V appeared was deliberately driven into the front shutters of Peat Carr Post Office, in Airedale Gardens, off Moorsley Road, in Hetton-le-Hole, shortly after 2.30am, on Tuesday, December 22.

Raiders managed to gain access to the premises, from where they removed an ATM machine, before making good their escape in the vehicle.

The car, bearing the registration R367 KRG, was subsequently found abandoned a few miles from the scene of the crime, in Broomside Lane, Belmont, on the outskirts of Durham.

Police were also informed of the recovery of the abandoned ATM, found near Elemore Hall School, a former country house, set in its own grounds, near Pittington, between Hetton-le-Hole and Belmont.

Detectives are appealing for help from people living in or around all three locations over events in the early hours of December 22, either in the vicinity of Airedale Gardens, Broomside Lane, or Elemore Hall School, which span to Durham/Tyne and Wear county boundary.

Anyone with information which may help investigators is asked to contact police, via the 101 number, quoting reference number 74 22/12/15.