One of only three cash machines in a village was smashed by vandals, who attempted to steal cash along with the machine itself.

Police received reports that the free-standing cash machine outside the Co-Op on King Street in Whalley had been vandalised in the early hours of Monday morning.

Officers said nothing appeared to have been stolen but the matter was now under investigation.

Ribble Valley Borough Councillor for Whalley and Painter Wood, Cllr Gef Mirfin said: "I hope that the bandits who smashed up and then tried to steal the cash machine outside the Co-op in Whalley during the hours of darkness are feeling proud of themselves.

"The CSI Unit from the police spent a number of hours taking fingerprints and recovering images of the raiders from the internal camera in the machine and CCTV footage close by.

"Hopefully arrests will be made soon.

"This is the last thing the village needs on the back of an impending lockdown.

"The danger is that these actions could result in us losing one of the three cash points we have in the village badly inconveniencing shoppers and pub-goers."

A spokesperson for the police said: "The matter is now under investigation.

"Nothing appears to have been stolen but anyone with information should contact us on 101 using log reference 0148 of November 2."