RAMRAIDERS have smashed a 4x4 through a Mortimer shop in failed bid to steal goods.

The car careered into the Budgens early this morning waking up the members of staff living above as they heard the crash of the vehicles against the store's front shutters.

The would-be thieves successfully gained entry into the building but sped off with little more than a small amount of money.

Staff worked through the morning to clean up the mess left behind and managed to reopen the shop later the same day.

Charles Mills, owner of the store, said: "We have got people who live above the shop and they were woken up by a large bang when someone reversed a 4x4 through our shop front.

"They did not get anything and they were gone within a couple of minutes.

"Our security here is very good. I think they were after tobacco but they just couldn't get at it because because we have shutters inside."

Those living upstairs were said to have been shocked by the initial impact but no one was hurt during the break in.

The car crashed through the shutters shortly after 3.30am and police are appealing for anyone who may have seen a [what car] in the area at that time.

Mr Mills and his team first opened up the Victoria Road store 18 months after revamping the property.

Other than the broken store front he said the rest of the damage was superficial and hoped would have little impact on trading once they had finished the clean up.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We are investigating a burglary at the store between 3.30am and 4am today.

"Offenders used a vehicle to smash their way into the store and a very small amount of cash was taken."

Anyone with any information about a red 4x4 in the area at that time is asked to called police on 101.