A bank which was damaged after brazen thieves used a digger to rip a cash machine from the side of the building in Ashby has reopened.

The Nationwide, in Market Street, was left with extensive damage after the raid took place at roughly 3.09am on Monday, July 10.

Footage has now been released by police showing the digger being driven at speed into the building four times until the front of the bank has collapsed before the cash machine was dragged out into the street.

The road was closed off by Leicestershire police until around 11.45am the following as the building was secured and the mess cleared away, and the police investigation got under way.

However, a spokesman for Nationwide has revealed that the building society has since reopened while repairs continue to be made after the break-in.

He said: “The police are continuing to handle the investigation and as a result we are unable to comment further on the incident.”

Leicestershire police are appealing for people with any information to come forward as soon as possible.

A police spokesman said: “Enquiries into the incident are in their very early stage. If anyone witnessed the theft or any vehicles arriving or leaving the area at the time of the incident, we’d like to speak to you.

“Anyone with any information is being asked to call 101, and quote incident 35 of 10 July.”