RAM-RAIDERS drove a huge lorry into a kiosk at a petrol station in an attempt to steal the cash machine.

Three men targeted the Sainsbury's filling station at the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre at Gillingham.

They left a huge hole in the building which has only recently been refurbished and extended. But they also left empty-handed.

The would-be robbers turned up at 3.25am on Wednesday when the petrol station was shut. They were in a 32-ton Volvo grab tipper lorry and rammed it straight into the kiosk.

It is thought they then tried to pick up the heavy cash machine with the crane but were unable too. When they realised the robbery was going to fail they made off on two motorcycles.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: "We would appeal to anyone who may have seen anything or who may have information in connection with this incident to contact us."

The offenders stole the lorry earlier that day from North Dane Way, Chatham.

It is the third time thieves have tried to make off with a cash machine from the shopping complex.

In June robbers made off with £175,000 after smashing a JCB into cash machines at branches of both Abbey and HSBC banks. There was a similar robbery at the centre more than 18 months ago.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls to Crimestoppers are free and are treated in the strictest of confidence.