POLICE are hunting for a gang who tried to ram-raid the Co-op store in Hook.

The robbers fled empty-handed after targeting the shop in Grand Parade, Station Road, early last Wednesday, but they caused extensive damage which meant it remained shut until 7am on Saturday.

Hampshire police media services officer Susan Rolling said several men were involved in the attempted robbery at the shop, which is also home to the village post office. The raid took place at 1.27am.

She said: "A stolen blue Ford Fiesta car was used to ram the back of the store in an attempt to get into the store room. This was unsuccessful and the blue Fiesta was left at the scene. The offenders escaped in another vehicle, a black SEAT Leon."

A spokeswoman for the Co-op said: "The store was closed due to electrical problems as a result of what happened.

"The raiders failed to gain entry to the store and, therefore, nothing was stolen, but a significant amount of damage was caused as electrical cables were hit.

"This resulted in the store being closed until repairs could be carried out. We would like to apologise to our valued customers for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Basingstoke CID on 0845 045 45 45.