POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a cash machine was stolen from a post office in Great Totham.

Great Totham Stores and Post Office, of Maldon Road, Great Totham, was hit by theives last night at 4am.

It is believed the thieves used vehicles to pull out a cash machine from the store, obliterating a wall on the side of the building.

This is the second time the stores have suffered a break-in in the last six months, when the same incident occured in December last year.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Police are investigating the theft of a cash machine which was stolen at around 4am today from the Post Office in Gt Totham.

"Thieves are believed to have used a vehicle to pull the cash machine out from inside the shop, causing significant damage to the building.

"Detectives would ask members of the public to contact them if they have any information about the incident or if anyone finds the remains of the cash machine discarded.

"They can call Essex Police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."