THOUSANDS of pounds in cash was stolen after thieves ‘blew up’ an ATM outside a convenience shop. 

The cash machine, at the Premier shop in Hargrove Avenue, Padiham, was targeted by three men during the early hours of Friday morning. 

Pictures show the machine severely damaged and the police confirmed a quantity of cash was taken by the raiders. 

Shopkeeper Mohammed Omar said the police were already at the scene when he arrived to open the shop at 7am. 

He said: “I was shocked when I arrived to see the police here and the mess from the cash machine. 

"We’ve never had any problems with robberies or much theft, so it was a surprise. They blew-up the machine and then took the cash from it.”

An investigation has now been launched in a bid to trace the offenders, who drove off in a black Audi. 

A police spokesman said: “We were called at around 2.15am on July 26 following reports of a cash machine theft in Padiham. A quantity of cash was taken during the incident before the offenders made off from the scene in a black Audi car.” 

Call 101 with reference 0152 of July 26 with any information.