A burglar tried breaking into a Co-op store with a sledgehammer to steal cigarettes.

But the raider left empty handed after targeting the Westgate-on-Sea shop in Station Road in the early hours.

The convenience store opposite the village's railway station was closed first thing this morning while repairs to the main entrance were carried out but reopened at 9.30am.

A store spokesman said the shop front had "a gaping hole" when she arrived for work and could not open at 7am.

"They tried to get into the cigarette gantry with a sledgehammer and tried to take some alcohol but left that behind.

"He's just caused thousands of pounds worth of damage."

A police spokesman said the burglary took place between 2.55am and 3.15am.

Forensic teams and crime scene investigators were brought in to carry out inquiries and gather evidence this morning.

Detectives are also reviewing CCTV footage from the store.

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