ONE man was arrested by police after officers disturbed a group trying to steal a cash machine using a digger.

Police were called at around 2.40am on Wednesday morning, to Tesco Express on Wiltshire Way, Hartlepool.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "A suspected stolen digger was abandoned at the scene and the suspects made off in a Land Rover, which was found burning on Worsett Lane a short time later, also having been abandoned. Nothing was stolen during the incident.

"It is believed that a further vehicle may have been involved as a getaway vehicle.

"A 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and he is currently in custody."

Any witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Neil Cawthorne at Cleveland Police Major Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.