POLICE were today hunting ram-raiders who tried to steal a cash machine from a Spar shop earlier today.

The attempted robbery at the shop in Gisburn Road, Barrowford, at 4.20am led to a high-speed police pursuit across the county line into West Yorkshire where the two cars used in the raid were lost near Haworth.

The robbers had used a Ford Escort van stolen from nearby Nora Street to smash through the shutters at the shop to get to the cash machine inside.

However, police were alerted by neighbours and arrived at the scene in time to prevent the raid.

The robbers fled in a green Skoda Octavia estate and a Subaru Imprezza and were chased for 20 minutes before evading the officers.

Crime scene investigators were due to visit the Spar shop today to carry out forensic examinations to try and find any clues to the identity of the raiders.

Police so far have no descriptions of those involved.

DS Dave Fleming of Nelson CID, which is handling the case, said: "We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the attempted robbery or the subsequent pursuit to get in contact with us.

Anyone with information can contact police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence on 0800 555 111.