Ram-raiders have left a trail of damage today at a village foodstore – the latest in the region to have been targeted in a series of break-ins.

Police said the East of England Co-op was attacked at just after 4.10am with the raiders using a JCB to try to rip out the cash machine.

In recent months there have been at least 19 ram-raids reported in Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk, including at village newsagents, co-op stores and post offices.

The incidents have caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage and in some cases leaving stores closed while repairs take place.

The latest one today saw the East of England Co-op on Norwich Road, New Costessey, on the outskirts of Norwich, smashed apart by the determined thieves.

Police would not confirm if the crime was being linked to other ram raids in East Anglia and said it is not clear how much money had been taken.

The shop car park remains sealed off, the shop remains shut and police officers are expected to be investigating the crime scene for the rest of the day.

Insp Paul Rush, from Norfolk Police, said it would appear nothing was taken from inside the foodstore and no-one was injured.

Recent ram-raids in Suffolk and Essex have included two in Lavenham, and attempted raid in Trimley St Martin, and other raids in Dedham, Burnham and Earls Colne.