A GANG of burglars were foiled after travelling more than 200 miles to raid a cash machine.

Blackburn magistrates heard the trio - armed with an angle grinder and crow bar - forced their way into the pod containing the ATM at the Ewood McDonald's fast-food restaurant.

They were then able to plug in their power tools as they tried to get at the £48,000 cash during the raid which prosecutors said had very professional hallmarks'.

But all three were arrested close to the scene after the alarm went off.

Police, including the force helicopter, were mobilised during the incident on Sunday, January 13.

Mastin Ali Dad, 36, of Dersingham Avenue, London, Mark Pettigrew, 23, of Lions Court, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire, and Suhel Salejee, 29, of Forty Acre Lane, London, all pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said officers searching the area saw security lights going on in quick succession down the back of a terrace of houses and arrested one of the men. The other two defendants were located by the police helicopter and arrested.

A BMW car was found in a nearby back alley and this contained Dad's driving licence and insurance details.

The police also found receipts from an M6 motorway service station and inquiries revealed CCTV footage of four men, including the defendants, entering and leaving the service station earlier that night.

"These three travelled together to Blackburn that night and the evidence was gathering as to the reason for that visit," said Mrs White.

"There are very professional hallmarks to this offence with specific equipment being brought to the location," said Mrs White.

"The cash machine had been filled recently and had in the region of £48,000 in it."

The defendants were all sent in custody to Preston Crown Court for sentence.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said when the men set off from London they had no intention of involving themselves in anything dishonest.