SHOPKEEPER David Troy has been left with a £5,000 clean-up bill after raiders tore the doors off his store as they ripped out a cash machine.

Thieves forced their way into the shop and tied a harness to the free-standing ATM, which was bolted to the floor inside the Spar shop in Silverdale, Newcastle.

They tied the other end to their transit-style van and drove away, yanking the machine through the double front doors and out of the shop.

They then managed to load it up and drive away without having woken any of the shop's neighbours.

Police were called to the High Street premises at 3.45am yesterday after the property's security alarm activated, and immediately cordoned off the area, including several nearby streets.

The shop's owner Mr Troy, pictured, arrived shortly afterwards to find a scene of devastation. The 42-year-old, from Knutton, said: "Everything was strewn on the floor and the doors were smashed off. We haven't had the damage assessed yet, but I think it's going to cost around £5,000 to repair.

"Normally we would open at 7am, but it took until about noon to get sorted out so we lost the morning's takings too.

"It's a very nasty experience, especially when you are struggling to keep going. We're in tough times, but some people just want to come along and take rather than going to work.

"At least nobody was hurt. The customers have all been very concerned – it's a close community."

Scenes of crime officers were called to the shop and carried out a detailed examination, which took most of the morning.

The machine was owned by Northwich-based ATM provider Cashzone. It is not known how much money was inside.

Detectives believe the raiders used a grey transit van and a second vehicle which has not been identified.

A stolen Mercedes A200, which is also believed to be connected to the burglary, was recovered from the Heathcote Road area of Halmerend at around 4.15am.

Officers spent yesterday carrying out door-to-door inquiries and gathering CCTV footage from the area. Leaflets appealing for witnesses have been distributed to nearby homes.

Many residents say they didn't hear a thing.

Jean Rowley, aged 68, who lives a few doors away from the shop, said: "I didn't know anything until I looked outside and saw the police had cordoned off part of the street. I wondered what had happened. Everything was at a standstill.

Louise Sedgeley, aged 34, who lives at the back of the shop, said: "I didn't hear a thing."

DS Steve Chadwick, from Leek CID, said: "We are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area recently, or who witnessed the incident, to contact us."

No one from Cashzone was available for comment.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Leek CID on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.