Ram-raiders have struck in East Sussex for the third time in less than a week.

Police say the theft early today at Icklesham, near Hastings, is probably connected to recent raids in Hailsham and Crowborough.

The latest raid happened at 12.25am today, when two vehicles were used to target Icklesham Stores on the A259.

A khaki Range Rover and another car, possibly a Vauxhall Nova, were used to smash down the doors of the convienence store.

The thieves used one of the vehicles to drag a cash dispenser from inside and got away with £25,000 in cash.

Staff at the family-owned store, the only one in Icklesham, were today starting repairs which will cost an estimated £10,000.

Manager Ben Littlejohn, 19, was in the flat above the shop when the raiders stuck.

He said: "I was asleep in the lounge upstairs when I heard the crash. I ran to the window but the thieves were already on their way.

"I can't believe they have managed to take the whole machine because it weighs about five hundredweight.

"They didn't even bother moving anything so all our stock and fixtures were smashed as they dragged it through the shop."

Mr Littlejohn hoped to reopen the shop this afternoon. He said: "We have a lot of people who rely on us and we can't let them down. What happened is shocking and we're all angry but we have to carry on."

The incident comes a day after a similar ram raid at Dillons in Crowborough, where the thieves also targeted a cash machine but left empty-handed.

Last week Costcutters in Upper Horsebridge, Hailsham, was hit but again the raiders failed to get away with the cash.

Police are appealing for witnesses to all three raids.

A force spokesman said: "All these incidents have been very similar and the vehicles used also seem to match. We are hoping someone may have seen these vehicles as they left the scene."