BURGLARS stole an estimated £100,000 from a supermarket cash machine after breaking into the store.

The burglars struck at Tesco Express, in Casterton Avenue, Burnley, between 3am and 4am yestetrday morning, in what police called a "planned and organised operation".

They gained access through the rear of the store, which closed at midnight, using heavy duty power tools and broke into the cash machine taking around £100,000.

Police said they are looking for three or four people who were wearing dark clothing and headgear in order to hide their identity.

CCTV footage is being examined as part of the investigations and police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Police said the thieves did not take anything else despite having access to the rest of the store.

Sergeant Stuart Dixon said: "What we believe to be a group of three or four offenders wearing headwear to disguise their identification have come into the rear of the premises using heavy duty power tools to force entry.

"Once inside they took a substantial amount of money, somewhere in the region of £100,000 from the ATM, after gaining access to it.

"They were wearing dark clothing but we don't have any more information about their descriptions yet.

"They could have been male or female. We just don't know at this stage.

"We are making enquiries into the CCTV footage and making a thorough search of the area.

"Although the robbers had access to the store they did not take anything else.

"This was more than likely an organised and planned operation involving three or four people.

"We are appealing for witnesses to the burglary or anyone acting suspicious."

Anyone who has any information about the burglary or who witnessed it should contact Burnley CID on 01282 472144 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.